5.22 PARENTAL DECISION MAKING IN PEDIATRIC PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION TREATMENT

Abstract

Prescribing rates of psychotropic medications in children have increased over the past decade, while public view on the use of these medications has remained neutral or become increasingly negative. Although some of the literature suggests that parents have concerns over the danger of medications, there remains a gap in the understanding of the factors that contribute to parental consent to administer psychotropic medications. The purpose of this pilot study was to understand parental attitudes toward psychotropic medications and to identify factors that would influence a parent to consider psychotropic medication treatment for their child.