Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
School
Public Health
Advisor
Sumner Davis
Abstract
Despite evidence that antidepressants are more effective at treating major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms, there is growing evidence that MDD management is still hampered by nonadherence to antidepressant treatment regimens. Researchers have suggested that MDD, if untreated, might lead to MDD-related complications, but other researchers have argued that adherence to antidepressants can lead to these same MDD-related complications. This quantitative cross-sectional study used primary data collected from 298 volunteers to examine the association between MDD-related complications and antidepressant adherence to clarify these diverging opinions. The study’s objective was to provide evidence to accept or reject the premise that antidepressant adherence is associated with a statistically significant increase in MDD-related complications. This study used the biopsychosocial model as the theoretical framework. A binary logistic regression analysis and Fisher’s extract test indicated that antidepressant adherence did not statistically predict the risk of developing insomnia, poor appetite, or suicidal thoughts in patients with MDD. The findings of this study will contribute to positive social change by providing public health professionals with information they need to establish a more effective awareness campaigns regarding drivers of MDD-related complications.
Recommended Citation
Lisinge, Philip, "Association Between Antidepressant Adherence and Major Depressive Disorder Complications" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 12442.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12442
