The impact of human and social resources on medication and lifestyle adherence: a sociological perspective

Abstract

Background: Non-adherence is a topic that has been studies including perspectives from different disciplines. So far, sociological theories seem to be underrepresented in explaining non-adherent behavior. Sociologists use concepts such as human and social resources to explain differences in human behaviour. This study used these concepts to explain variation in medication and lifestyle adherence between patients with type 2 diabetes. Aim: To investigate the relationship between social and human resources on the one hand and medication adherence and lifestyle adherence on the other hand. Methods: Data were collected through an online survey among patients recruited through various channels. Social resources were measured using items from the Diabetes Care Profile and human resources such as routinization skills using items from the Diabetes Time Management Questionnaire. Medication adherence was measured by the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and lifestyle adherence by the Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities scale. Multivariate linear regression was used . Analyses were controlled for socio-demographic characteristics and beliefs about medicines. Results: 143 respondents were included in the analysis. Social resources were not associated with neither medication adherence nor lifestyle adherence. Routinization skills did have a positive effect on both types of adherence. Having time-management skills was related to both medication and lifestyle adherence. Daily routine was important for medication adherence while planning was positively related to lifestyle adherence. Conclusion: Having more human resources, i.e. routinization skills, improves adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes. Interventions should take these skills into account.