The Family as a Therapeutically: A Study on the Relationship Between Family Functionality and Adherence to Pharmacotherapy in Mental Health

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between family functionality and adherence to pharmacological therapy in patients diagnosed with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (TMAD) receiving care at the Jorge Basadre Community University Mental Health Center (CSMCU). Material and methods: A prospective, crosssectional, and correlational study with a sample of 100 patients treated between April and July in 2024. Family functionality was assessed using the
Family APGAR questionnaire, and therapeutic adherence was measured using the Morisky-Green Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Sociodemographic and clinical variables were also analyzed. Results: Forty-two percent of patients reported severe family dysfunction. Adherence to pharmacological therapy was low in 53% of the sample. Most participants were women (77%), young adults (46%), and university students (60%). Nuclear families (32%) and single-parent families (29%) predominated. The most frequent clinical diagnoses were TMAD (40%), depression (35%), and anxiety (25%). A statistically significant relationship was observed between family functionality and adherence to pharmacological therapy (p=0.006), indicating that greater family dysfunction is associated with lower treatment adherence. Conclusions: Severe family dysfunction is significantly associated with low adherence to pharmacological therapy in patients with mental disorders. These findings highlight the importance of considering family dynamics when designing interventions to improve treatment adherence.