| Title | Adherence to antiretroviral therapy: an empirical test of the information-motivation-behavioral skills model. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2006 |
| Authors | Starace, Fabrizio, Alessandra Massa, Rivet K. Amico, and Jeffrey D. Fisher |
| Journal | Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pagination | 153-62 |
| Date Published | 2006 Mar |
| ISSN | 0278-6133 |
| Keywords | Adult, Aged, Anti-Retroviral Agents, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Italy, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Theoretical, Motivation, Patient Compliance, Patient Education as Topic |
| Abstract | Consistent and nearly perfect adherence is considered an essential requirement for HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to fully realize its life-extending benefits. The current study evaluated a comprehensive model of ART adherence--the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model. This model views adherence behavior as a function of the interrelations between adherence-related information, motivation, and behavioral skills. It hypothesizes that adherence-related information and motivation work through adherence-related behavioral skills to affect the initiation and maintenance of optimal ART adherence. In a series of structural equation models, the IMB model's critical constructs and assumptions were evaluated with a sample of 100 HIV-positive patients in clinical care. Across all analyses, the authors found support for the assumptions of the IMB model of ART adherence. Consistent with the model, adherence-related information and motivation related significantly to adherence-related behavioral skills, and behavioral skills related significantly to self-reported optimal adherence. Further, as predicted, the effects of information and motivation on self-reported adherence were mediated by adherence-related behavioral skills. Current study results are explored, and implications for adherence promotion interventions based on the model are discussed. |
| Alternate Journal | Health Psychol |
