The effect of caregiver anxiety on medication adherence in children with epilepsy: The mediating effect of medication beliefs

IF 2.3 3区医学 Q2 BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Epilepsy & Behavior Pub Date : 2025-07-02 DOI:10.1016/j.yebeh.2025.110551

Chunsong Yang , Beixi Li , Xiaoyu Li , Weiqi Deng , Qiuji Tao , Lingli Zhang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

We used structural equation modelling to analyze the effect of caregiver anxiety on medication adherence and the mediating effect of medication beliefs in children with epilepsy in China.

Methods

Convenience sampling was used to continuously select children with epilepsy who met the inclusion criteria from January 2021 to June 2024. We generated a theoretical model of the interactions between medication beliefs, anxiety, and medication adherence. Structural equation modelling was used to analyze multiple mediating effects.

Results

Participants were 2334 children with epilepsy; 61.3 % had good medication adherence. Younger age, being an only child, place of residence, parents’ marital status, being newly diagnosed, and caregiver anxiety score affected medication adherence. Of caregivers, 22.9 % had anxiety and adherence score was an anxiety influencing factor. Caregiver anxiety had a significant negative effect on medication adherence and necessity beliefs about the necessity of medication, and a significant positive effect on concerns about medication. Necessity beliefs had a significant positive effect on medication adherence. However, medication concerns had a significant negative effect on medication adherence. Necessity beliefs and concerns had significant mediating effects on the relationship between caregiver anxiety and medication adherence (44.5 % of the total effect).

Conclusion

More than one-third of persons with epilepsy have poor medication adherence. Caregiver anxiety both directly affects medication adherence and indirectly affects it through the mediating role of medication beliefs. To improve medication adherence in persons with epilepsy, more attention should be paid to improving caregiver mental health and patients’ medication understanding.

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照顾者焦虑对癫痫患儿服药依从性的影响：用药信念的中介作用

本研究采用结构方程模型分析照顾者焦虑对癫痫患儿服药依从性的影响以及服药信念的中介作用。方法采用方便抽样法，于2021年1月至2024年6月连续抽取符合纳入标准的癫痫患儿。我们建立了一个关于药物信念、焦虑和药物依从性之间相互作用的理论模型。采用结构方程模型分析多重中介效应。结果研究对象为癫痫患儿2334例；61.3%的患者药物依从性良好。年龄、独生子女、居住地、父母婚姻状况、新诊断和照顾者焦虑评分影响药物依从性。22.9%的护理人员有焦虑，依从性评分是焦虑的影响因素。照顾者焦虑对药物依从性和药物必要性信念有显著的负向影响，对药物担忧有显著的正向影响。必要性信念对药物依从性有显著的正向影响。然而，药物问题对药物依从性有显著的负面影响。必要性信念和担忧对照顾者焦虑和药物依从性的关系有显著的中介作用（占总效应的44.5%）。结论超过三分之一的癫痫患者药物依从性差。照顾者焦虑既直接影响药物依从性，又通过药物信念的中介作用间接影响药物依从性。为了提高癫痫患者的药物依从性，应更多地关注改善照顾者的心理健康和患者对药物的理解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Epilepsy & Behavior 医学-行为科学

CiteScore

5.40

自引率

15.40%

发文量

385

审稿时长

43 days

期刊介绍： Epilepsy & Behavior is the fastest-growing international journal uniquely devoted to the rapid dissemination of the most current information available on the behavioral aspects of seizures and epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior presents original peer-reviewed articles based on laboratory and clinical research. Topics are drawn from a variety of fields, including clinical neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychiatry, neuropsychology, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and neuroimaging. From September 2012 Epilepsy & Behavior stopped accepting Case Reports for publication in the journal. From this date authors who submit to Epilepsy & Behavior will be offered a transfer or asked to resubmit their Case Reports to its new sister journal, Epilepsy & Behavior Case Reports.