Factors Influencing Concerns about Medicines in Older Adults with Polypharmacy: A Secondary Analysis

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate medication self-efficacy, health information interaction, and distress related to medication in older adults with polypharmacy and to determine the factors influencing concerns about medicines. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis based on a 2025 study and a total of 197 participants were included. Participants' concerns about medicines, medication self-efficacy, health information interaction, distress related to medication, and sociodemographic characteristics were measured. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis were conducted. Results: Statistically significant correlations were found among the key variables, namely medication self-efficacy, health information interaction, distress related to medication, and concerns about medicines. Distress related to medication (β=.52, <i>p</i><.001), medication self-efficacy (β=-.33, <i>p</i><.001), and health information interaction (β=-.21, <i>p</i>=.003) were identified as significant factors influencing concerns about medicines in older adults with polypharmacy. The explanatory power of these variables was 49%. Conclusion: Medication self-efficacy, health information interaction, and distress related to medication were key variables influencing concerns about medicines. Nursing interventions aimed at reducing concerns about medicines should focus on decreasing medication-related distress, enhancing medication self-efficacy, and providing health information through telenursing interactions.