Time-lagged predictors of daily medication nonadherence beliefs during the month post-hospital discharge in patients with psychotic-spectrum disorders

We used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine the period following hospitalization when risk for medication nonadherence is highest among patients with psychotic-spectrum disorders. EMA data were collected daily via smartphones from 23 patients with psychotic-spectrum disorders (totaling 1149 surveys) in the month immediately following discharge. Nonadherence beliefs significantly correlated with percentage of medication doses. Time-lagged increases in irritability, sadness, life dissatisfaction, functional impairment, and previous day missed medication dose predicted subsequent increases in nonadherence beliefs over time. Future research should study mobile interventions that target the factors found to predict nonadherence beliefs to improve post-hospital recovery.