The Effects of SSRI Drugs and Gender on Mental Health Views and Medication Adherence
Location
Room 232, Schewel Hall
Access Type
Open Access
Presentation Type
Oral presentation
Entry Number
65
Start Date
4-16-2026 9:00 AM
End Date
4-16-2026 9:15 AM
School
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Department
Psychology
Abstract
There is an existing stigma surrounding mental health and related treatment that affects individuals seeking proper care for their mental health concerns. Previous research has failed to sufficiently examine effects of mental health stigma on medication adherence, particularly in those who are prescribed SSRI medications, as well as gender differences regarding beliefs around mental health. The current research study aimed to explore the differences in mental health stigma between medicated and unmedicated groups as well as between gender. Further exploration is given to whether overall beliefs about mental health predicts adherence to medication. The Endorsed and Anticipated Stigma Inventory and the Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Scale were used to measure overall beliefs about mental health and adherence to medication, respectively. In support of the hypotheses, those who are unmedicated showed higher levels of negative mental health stigma when compared to medicated individuals. In addition, the medicated participants who scored significantly higher on the stigma subscales reported lower levels of adherence to their medication, suggesting increased mental health stigma may be a barrier to mental health treatment. Aligning with previous research, men scored significantly higher on stigma scales compared to women. As stigma is often unconscious or internalized, it is extremely important that mental health becomes less stigmatized to increase treatment seeking, adherence to medication, and overall support and understanding for those with mental health struggles. By increasing awareness to all individuals, no matter their medication status or gender, the stigma surrounding mental health will decrease.
Primary Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Christopher Neale Dr. Ei Hlaing Dr. Allison Jablonski
Primary Faculty Mentor(s) Department
Psychology Biology
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The Effects of SSRI Drugs and Gender on Mental Health Views and Medication Adherence
Room 232, Schewel Hall
There is an existing stigma surrounding mental health and related treatment that affects individuals seeking proper care for their mental health concerns. Previous research has failed to sufficiently examine effects of mental health stigma on medication adherence, particularly in those who are prescribed SSRI medications, as well as gender differences regarding beliefs around mental health. The current research study aimed to explore the differences in mental health stigma between medicated and unmedicated groups as well as between gender. Further exploration is given to whether overall beliefs about mental health predicts adherence to medication. The Endorsed and Anticipated Stigma Inventory and the Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Scale were used to measure overall beliefs about mental health and adherence to medication, respectively. In support of the hypotheses, those who are unmedicated showed higher levels of negative mental health stigma when compared to medicated individuals. In addition, the medicated participants who scored significantly higher on the stigma subscales reported lower levels of adherence to their medication, suggesting increased mental health stigma may be a barrier to mental health treatment. Aligning with previous research, men scored significantly higher on stigma scales compared to women. As stigma is often unconscious or internalized, it is extremely important that mental health becomes less stigmatized to increase treatment seeking, adherence to medication, and overall support and understanding for those with mental health struggles. By increasing awareness to all individuals, no matter their medication status or gender, the stigma surrounding mental health will decrease.