Correlates of Preferring a Passive Role in Decision-Making among Patients with Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder

Abstract Objective To assess the factors associated with the persistence of clinician-led style in the therapeutic relationship in cases of serious mental illness, and the conditioning factors that the patients identify as determinants of their health. Method Assessment of preferences in the decision-making process and health-related control locus of 107 outpatients with DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Demographic and clinical information was also obtained through review of available records and using several scales. Results 64.4% patients preferred to adopt a passive role in the therapeutic relationship. In the multivariate analysis, the preference of playing a passive role in the decision-making process was significantly associated with the elderly, being disabled, or the view that one’s health depends on doctors (AUC ROC value: 0.80). Conclusions Patients with severe mental illness more frequently preferred a passive role in the decision-making process. We found several factors associated with a preference for the “expert role” model. Practice implications : The identified factors may permit care to be tailored to the most probable expectations as regard decision-making. Since the populations concerned may be vulnerable and suffer inequalities in the provision of health services, promoting participation in the care process could help improve clinical parameters ethically.