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Perception and Attitude Towards Antidepressants in Koreans  

Jung, Sae-Jin (Graduate School of Clinical Health Sciences, Ewha Womans University)
Lee, Sang-Soo (Department of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Gangneung Hospital)
Lee, Kyung-Eun (College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University)
Lee, Byung-Koo (Graduate School of Clinical Health Sciences, Ewha Womans University)
Gwak, Hye-Sun (Graduate School of Clinical Health Sciences, Ewha Womans University)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy / v.22, no.1, 2012 , pp. 65-72 More about this Journal
Abstract
Antidepressants are frequently prescribed for a wide range of symptoms. Surveys in several countries have suggested that negative attitudes towards antidepressants are common. However, there has been limited research associated with the attitudes in Korea. Therefore, this quantitative descriptive study describing the perception and attitudes toward antidepressants was performed using healthy people and outpatients who are not taking antidepressants. The surveys by means of self-reporting questionnaires showed negative attitudes towards antidepressants (74.2%). But, 74.2% of above participants gave positive answers to take antidepressants when they are counseled by medical professionals. Higher rates of negative attitudes were found in younger age group ("it causes addiction") and healthy volunteers and urban area groups ("it causes physical harm"). Study participants without experiences in taking antidepressants showed more negative attitudes although the difference was not statistically significant. Based on the results, accurate and objective information about antidepressants needs to be provided by well-trained health professionals.
Keywords
Antidepressants; perception; attitudes;
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