Psychological correlates of adherence to medication in asthma

The relationship between illness perceptions, beliefs about medication and adherence to medication was investigated in a primary care sample of 64 asthma patients. A series of multiple regressions indicated that number of preventer inhaler prescriptions was significantly associated with patient beliefs about the necessity of their asthma medication, and external cause; number of reliever inhaler prescriptions was significantly associated with belief in a long illness duration and high morbidity; self-reported adherence was significantly associated with patient beliefs about the necessity of their asthma medication and strong identity. The implications of these findings are discussed.