Investigation of Treatment Adherence and Life Satisfaction in Psychiatric Patients Treated with Electroconvulsive Therapy:  A Cross-Sectional Study

Background & Objectives: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a medical intervention primarily used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as refractory major depression, refractory bipolar disorder, and refractory schizophrenia among patients not responding to other therapeutic modalities. The present study aimed to examine treatment adherence and life satisfaction among psychiatric patients receiving ECT. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in ۲۰۲۴ and included ۲۰۰ psychiatric in-patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy at Shariati Hospital in Fasa, southern Iran. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using three instruments: a demographic questionnaire, the Diener Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Treatment Adherence Questionnaire developed by Fatemi et al. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version ۲۵, with multiple regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient used to examine the relationships among variables. Results: Among the participants, ۶۶% (n = ۱۳۲) were male and ۳۴% (n = ۶۸) were female. The mean scores for treatment adherence and life satisfaction were ۸۰.۰۲ ± ۲۹.۷ and ۲۰.۴ ± ۸.۰۳, respectively. No significant correlation was found between treatment adherence and life satisfaction (r = -۰.۰۸۶, p = ۰.۲۲). However, a significant positive correlation was observed between treatment adherence and the number of ECT sessions (r = ۰.۱۳, p = ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: In light of these findings, clinicians and mental health practitioners are encouraged to adopt evidence-based frameworks designed to promote treatment adherence, thereby improving patient outcomes and enhancing overall life satisfaction. Failure to address adherence, particularly among vulnerable patient subgroups, may lead to substantial personal and social consequences.

کلیدواژه ها:

Electroconvulsive therapy ، treatment adherence ، life satisfaction ، psychiatric patients