Attitudes toward psychiatric medications among incarcerated female adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

Beliefs about and attitudes toward pharmacotherapy have been shown to play an important role in mediating compliance with psychoactive medications. This study is an examination of attitudes toward drug treatment in a sample of delinquent incarcerated girls.

METHOD

Female adolescents (N = 214) in a juvenile detention facility were administered a questionnaire assessing general beliefs and specific concerns about taking psychiatric medications. Demographic and historical data, including prior psychiatric drug treatment and illicit substance abuse, were also examined as possible influencing variables.

RESULTS

Nearly one half of subjects were skeptical about the benefits of pharmacotherapy. Prior illicit drug use did not influence attitudes, but having been treated with psychiatric medication was related to enhanced perceptions of the efficacy and acceptance of such therapy. Specific concerns about untoward effects of pharmacotherapy were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that these delinquent adolescents would benefit from techniques to improve initial attitudes toward treatment and challenge the prescribing physician to consider the unique worries and concerns that may undermine compliance with medication regimens among teenagers.