Journal article
Life Course Perspectives of Aging With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders in Psychiatric and Long-Term Care Facilities
The Gerontologist, Vol.64(5), gnad149
05/01/2024
DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnad149
PMCID: PMC11020287
PMID: 37930229
Abstract
Background and Objectives Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders must manage residual symptoms as they age, and they may experience premature or accelerated aging in comparison with those without their diagnosis. To explore their life course perspectives, we interviewed institutionalized adults aging with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in middle and older age.Research Design and Methods We used an exploratory descriptive design and qualitative methods. Participants answered semistructured, open-ended questions about perceptions of their mental illness along the life course.Results Participants (N = 30, age 45-83 years) were from an acute care psychiatric facility and a long-term care facility: 16 (53%) men, 14 (47%) women; 6 (20%) Hispanic, 10 (33%) African American, 14 (47%) non-Hispanic White. Participants' life course included traumas from violence, homelessness, and stigma; psychiatric symptoms such as worry and sadness; and age-related physiological symptoms including illness, loss of strength, falls, and incontinence, with falls and incontinence reported only in long-term care. Aging within institutionalization included lack of privacy and autonomy, and isolation (less socialization). Participants provided insights for potential improvements.Discussion and Implications Because these aging adults are experts on their own care, researchers should continue to seek their input to inform their healthcare.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Life Course Perspectives of Aging With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders in Psychiatric and Long-Term Care Facilities
- Creators
- Veronica Garcia Walker - The University of Texas at AustinTracie C. Harrison - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Gerontologist, Vol.64(5), gnad149
- DOI
- 10.1093/geront/gnad149
- PMID
- 37930229
- PMCID
- PMC11020287
- NLM abbreviation
- Gerontologist
- ISSN
- 0016-9013
- eISSN
- 1758-5341
- Publisher
- Oxford Univ Press
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- Center for Excellence in Aging Services and Long-Term Care NR015335 / Center for Excellence in Aging Services Cain Center for Nursing Research Center for Transdisciplinary Collaborative Research in Self-Management Science
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/01/2024
- Academic Unit
- Nursing
- Record Identifier
- 9984696712202771
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