Identifying Factors that Facilitate Treatment Adherence in Cystic Fibrosis: Qualitative Analyses of Interviews with Parents and Adolescents

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive, genetic disease affecting multiple organ systems. Treatments are complex and take 2 –4 h per day. Adherence is 50% or less for pulmonary medications, airway clearance, and enzymes. Prior research has identified demographic and psychological variables associated with better adherence; however, no study has extensively identified facilitators of treatment adherence (e.g., adaptive behaviors and cognitions) in a sample of parents and adolescents. Forty-three participants were recruited from four CF centers as part of a larger measurement study. Participants included 29 parents (72% mothers; 72% Caucasian) and 14 adolescents (ages 11–20, 64% female, 71% Caucasian). Participa nts completed semi-structured interviews to elicit barriers to adherence. However, facilitators of adherence naturally emerged, therefore indicating need for further exploration. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and content-analyzed in NVivo to identify those behaviors and beliefs that facili tated adherence, using a phenomenological analysis. Frequencies of these themes were tabulated. Nine themes emerged, with individual codes subsumed under each. Themes included social support, community support, organizational strategies, “intrinsic characteristics,” combining treatments with ple asurable activity, flexibility, easier or faster treatment, prioritizing treatments, and negative effects of non-adherence. Results demonstrated the importance of ide...
Source: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research