Predictors of Quality of Life Among People Who Take or Have Stopped Antipsychotic Medication

Several studies have suggested that those who stop taking antipsychotic medications (AMs) may have better or equivalent quality of life (QOL) outcomes compared to those who persist in the long-term. Few have explored the... [ view full abstract ]

Several studies have suggested that those who stop taking antipsychotic medications (AMs) may have better or equivalent quality of life (QOL) outcomes compared to those who persist in the long-term. Few have explored the potential role of psycho-social resources and to date, none have assessed whether use active and avoidant coping strategies makes a difference. As part of a larger survey exploring experiences of taking antipsychotic medication (AM), 144 New Zealand adults who currently took or had previously taken AMs answered a series of multiple-choice questions and standardised scales assessing their current use of AMs, occupational status, their current quality of life, their current use of coping strategies, and the adequacy of their social support. Multiple hierarchical regression was used to explore predictors for QOL. Social support, avoidant coping, and active coping made significant, independent contributions to prediction of current QOL, while current use of AMs did not. Results suggest external and internal psycho-social resources are associated with the QOL outcomes of people who take AMs and those who stop taking them. Since quality of life is associated with coping and social support, treatment systems cannot rely solely on medication to produce positive outcomes for those who take AMs, and those who choose to stop.