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Understanding attitudes towards psychiatric medications: a comparative study of patients, healthcare professionals, and general population perspectives

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Abstract

Background

In recent years, with the increasing challenges in living conditions, there has been a rise in individuals seeking psychiatric support. This situation may lead to changes in attitudes and perceptions towards psychiatric medication treatments.

Aim

This study aims to examine the attitudes of stable psychiatric patients, healthcare professionals, and the general population toward psychiatric medication treatments.

Method

The study included 311 stable psychiatric patients, 200 healthcare professionals, and 274 participants from the general population. Participants were administered a data form that questioned sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the Drug Attitude Inventory-10, and the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire.

Results

The study reveals significant differences in attitudes towards medication among stable psychiatric patients, non-psychiatric healthcare professionals, and the general population. Stable psychiatric patients tend to have a stronger belief in the positive effects of medication and are more likely to internalize medications in their daily lives. However, this group experiences side effects more intensely compared to other groups. Healthcare professionals maintain a balanced stance regarding the benefits and side effects of medications, while the general population exhibits a more negative attitude towards medications and expresses greater concern about the addictive potential of these drugs.

Conclusion

Considering these differences may contribute to more effective management of treatment processes and improve attitudes toward medications.

Explore related subjects

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  • Attitudes
  • Behavioral Medicine
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  • Psychopharmacology
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Data availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to all participants of our study for so generously taking the time to take part in our research.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departmant of Psychiatry, Antalya Atatürk State Hospital, Antalya, Turkey

    Seda Yavuz

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey

    Yavuz Yılmaz

  3. Departmant of Psychiatry, Hackalı Baba State Hospital, Trabzon, Turkey

    Erdi Bahadır

Contributions

Seda Yavuz: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Writing- Original draft preparation, Project administration, Writing—Review & Editing. Yavuz Yılmaz: Writing—Original draft preparation, Writing—Review & Editing, Project administration. Erdi Bahadır: Conceptualization, Review & Editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yavuz Yılmaz.

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During the preparation of this work the author(s) used ChatGPT 4-o in order to improve readability and language. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the publication.

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Yavuz, S., Yılmaz, Y. & Bahadır, E. Understanding attitudes towards psychiatric medications: a comparative study of patients, healthcare professionals, and general population perspectives. Eur J Clin Pharmacol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-025-03879-7

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  • DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-025-03879-7

Keywords

  • Attitudes
  • Psychiatric medications
  • Outpatients
  • Healthcare professionals
  • General population

 

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