CILACAP, JurnalPost.com — Medication adherence remains a significant challenge in the treatment of people with mental health disorders. Beyond the guidance provided by healthcare professionals, family involvement is considered essential in helping patients take their medication regularly as prescribed.
A study conducted by Agung Tri Setio Budi, a student of the Diploma III Nursing Program at the Yakpermas Banyumas Polytechnic, at the Binangun Community Health Center in Cilacap Regency, Central Java, in 2026 showed a high level of medication adherence among the research respondents.
Out of 33 family respondents involved, 31 respondents, or 93.94 percent, were categorized as adherent to medication. Meanwhile, two other respondents, or 6.06 percent, were categorized as non-adherent.
The study also found that the majority of families provide good support to their relatives undergoing treatment for mental health disorders.
A total of 22 respondents, or 66.67 percent, were recorded as having good family support, while 11 other respondents, or 33.33 percent, fell into the sufficient category.
These findings provide an overview of the state of family support and medication adherence among mental health patients within the working area of the Binangun Community Health Center.
Study Involves 33 Families of Mental Health Patients
The study, titled Overview of Family Support for Medication Adherence in Patients with Mental Health Disorders at the Binangun Community Health Center, Cilacap Regency, in 2026 used a quantitative descriptive method with a cross-sectionalapproach.
The researcher sampled from a population of 90 families of patients currently undergoing treatment. A total of 33 respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique based on predetermined criteria.
Respondents were immediate family members or close relatives living with the patient who are involved in supporting their treatment.
Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire containing questions regarding family support and patient adherence to medication.
The research document states that data collection took place in 1 July 2026.
Based on age characteristics, 13 respondents, or 39.39 percent, were in the elderly group aged 60 years and above. Furthermore, 11 respondents, or 33.34 percent, were aged 18–44 years, while nine respondents, or 27.27 percent, were in the 45–59 age range.
In terms of gender, the majority of respondents were female, totaling 21 individuals, or 63.64 percent. Male respondents numbered 12 individuals, or 36.36 percent.
This composition indicates that women and elderly family members are significantly involved as caregivers for patients within the studied group.
Family Support Deemed Crucial in Treatment
In the study's discussion, family support is described not only as monitoring medication schedules but also as encompassing emotional attention, assistance with daily activities, providing information, and supporting access to healthcare services.
Families can help patients remember medication schedules, accompany them to health check-ups, and ensure patients receive information on medication usage according to medical instructions.
This support is a point of concern because the treatment of mental health disorders often requires long-term medication and continuous monitoring.
In the conclusion of his scientific paper, Agung stated that the majority of respondents received good family support and were categorized as adherent to their treatment.
The majority of family support was in the good category, and the majority of medication adherence was in the adherent category.
However, this descriptive study has not yet proven a causal relationship between family support and medication adherence.
The results primarily describe the conditions found among the respondents, rather than confirming that family support is the sole factor determining patient adherence.
Two Respondents Still Experienced Medication Non-Adherence
Amidst the high percentage of adherence, the study also noted two respondents who fell into the non-adherent category regarding medication consumption.
The study's discussion highlights several issues that can affect the continuity of treatment, including family understanding of home care, regularity in health check-ups, and the availability of moral support.
Additionally, medication adherence may be related to the patient's understanding of the medication's benefits, perceived side effects, and the ease of accessing healthcare services.
Therefore, family support must be integrated with healthcare services so that patients receive accurate information regarding their treatment.
The research document also notes that in 2026 there were 190 cases of mental health disorders handled in the Binangun Community Health Center area. Of that number, 90 patients were recorded as still undergoing treatment.
This condition highlights the importance of continuous mental health services at the community health center level, including monitoring patients undergoing therapy at home.
Family Education and Healthcare Professional Support
Based on the research results, increasing education for families is one of the recommended steps to support the continuity of treatment for mental health patients.
Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, are expected to be more active in involving families by providing information on patient care and the importance of following treatment recommendations.
Families are also expected to continue increasing positive support, including reminding patients of medication schedules, accompanying them to check-ups, and paying attention to changes in their family member's health condition.
Meanwhile, further research is considered necessary to examine other factors affecting medication adherence, such as medication side effects, access to healthcare services, and the role of community health volunteers.
This study has limitations as it only involved 33 respondents in one community health center area. Data collected through questionnaires also has the potential for bias based on respondent answers.
Consequently, the research results cannot be used to represent the adherence level of all mental health patients in Cilacap Regency.
Nevertheless, these findings provide an overview of the importance of family involvement in supporting patients through their treatment.
Collaboration between families, patients, and healthcare professionals is expected to help maintain the continuity of care while improving the quality of life for people with mental health disorders in the community.
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