The impact of perceived social support on medication adherence among patients with a non-English language preference
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Abstract
This study explores the dynamic relationship between perceived social support and medication adherence in Non-English Language Preference (NELP) patients at Boston Medical Center, a safety-net hospital serving a significant portion of linguistically diverse populations. Utilizing the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS) and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), we assessed the levels of social support and medication adherence among 31 participants to examine how social networks influence compliance with medication regimens. Our findings revealed moderate levels of perceived social support and low medication adherence across the sample. Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated a weak negative correlation (ρ = -0.23) between social support levels and medication adherence, although this correlation was not statistically significant (p = 0.30 > 0.05), suggesting other factors may also impact medication compliance. A significant constraint of this study is its limited sample size, potentially impacting the broader applicability of the results. Future research should aim to develop social support scales that consider support systems known to influence medication adherence specifically, addressing the specific needs of NELP populations.
Description
2024