Self-regulation, physician-patient working alliance, and HIV treatment adherence in HIV infected adults: A mediation model
Abstract
The current study investigated the relationship between self-regulation, treatment adherence and the mediating effects of the physician-patient relationship on these variables in patients with a diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As medicine changes, emerging trends are focused on individuals managing their own health care and the growing need for patients to serve as active partners with their physicians in the maintenance of healthcare regimens. This study was informed by the current literature, which classifies adherence to HIV medication as difficult resulting in many patients engaging in non-adherent behavior. This study focused on the relationship between self-regulation and adherence and the effects of the physician-patient working alliance as a mediating variable in this relationship. One hundred and fifty-three people diagnosed with HIV completed a survey investigation their level of self-regulation, treatment adherence, and their relationship with their physicians. Participants were recruited through the use of online advertisements and through an HIV clinic situated in San Francisco, California. The researcher calculated descriptive statistics for the demographic data and study variables. Preliminary data analyses composed of investigating means, standard deviations, alpha coefficients, and scale ranges. The current study involves testing a meditational model. Therefore, a series of simple (bivariate) and multiple analyses were conducted. Results revealed that there were no significant relationships between Self-Regulation and Treatment Adherence. A modest, but positive, relationship was found between Self-Regulation and the Physician-Patient Working Alliance. No significant results were found between the Physician-Patient Working Alliance and Treatment Adherence. As there was no relationship between Self-Regulation and Adherence, there was nothing for a mediator to eliminate or reduce, therefore the analysis failed to support the hypothesis of a mediation model. As a result of the findings, the author suggests implications of research and practice as well as directions for future research for both medical and mental health professionals.
Subject Area
Behavioral psychology|Educational psychology
Recommended Citation
Paul, Laury Kelly, "Self-regulation, physician-patient working alliance, and HIV treatment adherence in HIV infected adults: A mediation model" (2010). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI3407466.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI3407466
