Exploring the influence of family attitudes and individual psychological factors on antibiotic utilization: a pilot study

The inappropriate use of antibiotics gives rise to detrimental consequences, both physical and emotional, with a decreased quality of life and higher levels of anxiety and depression. The current observational study aimed to investigate the association between awareness, beliefs, and behaviors toward antibiotics, highlighting the modulating role of individual and psychological factors in response to illness and medication. Through an online questionnaire, several psychological indexes, as well as knowledge of, attitude toward, and experiences with antibiotics, both individual and family-related, were assessed in a sample of 100 responders (74 females, mean age 33.37 +/- 11.36). A positive association between intake behavior, awareness, and individual attitude emerged. Familial approach to antibiotics appears as a predictor of individual attitude and behavior toward these drugs, and awareness about antibiotic risks mediate the relationship between the tendency to be more compliant with prescriptions (R-2 = 0.300; MSE = 1.541; F(2, 98) = 20.737; p < 0.0001). Moreover, individuals with a personality characterized by higher conscientiousness are more aware of antibiotic risks (p < 0.01), whereas individuals with a lower awareness are those with higher indexes of psychophysical discomfort (i.e., anxiety, perceived stress, somatization) and levels of emotional rebound (p < 0.05). Anxiety (F(3, 96) = 3.874; p = 0.012; R-2 = 0.108) and somatization (F(2, 97) = 3.114; p = 0.030; R-2 = 0.089) also significatively moderated the intake behavior, despite the family approach. Overall, the current study provides preliminary findings regarding the way in which family experiences and individual psychological aspects may be influencing factors in the behavior and attitude towards antibiotics and can be used to plan patient-centered therapeutic communication and education.