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Adherence to HIV Medications: Utility of the Theory of Self-Determination

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Abstract

The utility of self-determination theory in predicting adherence to antiviral therapy (ART) was investigated in 205 HIV+ (85% male) patients. Participants completed brief structured adherence interviews and measures of perceived autonomy support, autonomous motivation, and perceived competence, specific to ART. Adherence measures included percentage of doses administered and precision of dose scheduling. As hypothesized, greater autonomy support predicted greater autonomous motivation for adherence, which predicted adherence through an indirect relationship mediated by perceived competence. Autonomy support from health care providers was most predictive of autonomous motivation. Psychological distress also contributed to the variance in adherence. Study results demonstrate the importance of psychological factors in predicting ART adherence, and emphasize the role of internal motivations and competencies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Missouri—Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri

    Sarah Kennedy & Nikki Nollen

  2. University of Missouri—Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri

    Kathy Goggin

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  1. Sarah Kennedy
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  2. Kathy Goggin
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  3. Nikki Nollen
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Kennedy, S., Goggin, K. & Nollen, N. Adherence to HIV Medications: Utility of the Theory of Self-Determination. Cognitive Therapy and Research 28, 611–628 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:COTR.0000045568.95219.e2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:COTR.0000045568.95219.e2

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