Associations Between Internalizing Symptoms and Trajectories of Medication Adherence Among Pediatric Renal and Liver Transplant Recipients

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To examine medication adherence trajectories posttransplantation and the association between adherence trajectories and self-reported internalizing symptoms in a pediatric population. METHODS: Multilevel modeling was used to examine internalizing symptoms and longitudinal medication adherence, as assessed by electronic monitoring, among 55 children and adolescents who received liver or kidney transplantation. RESULTS: Medication adherence generally declined over the study assessment window, and higher levels of anxiety were associated with higher and more stable patterns of medication adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety may be an important factor to consider when assessing and intervening with posttransplantation medication adherence. Future research should consider the potential reactivity effects of adherence monitoring, as well as individual and family behaviors associated with anxiety that may influence adherence.