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Perspectives on schizophrenia over the lifespan: a qualitative study
Sally Shepherd1, Colin A Depp, Gloria Harris
1National Alliance on Mental Illness, San Diego Affiliate, San Diego, CA, USA.
Schizophrenia Bulletin
|July 7, 2010
Summary
Older adults with schizophrenia reported symptom improvement over their lifespan, attributing this to self-management skills. However, perceptions of functioning varied significantly, suggesting personalized rehabilitation approaches for schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Gerontology
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Longitudinal studies indicate diverse long-term outcomes in schizophrenia.
- Understanding the lived experience of aging with schizophrenia is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how older adults with schizophrenia perceive changes in symptoms and functioning over their lifespan.
- To investigate the heterogeneity in perceived illness trajectories and functional outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 32 adults aged 50+ with schizophrenia (mean illness duration 35 years).
- Grounded theory analysis including coding, consensus, co-occurrence, and comparison.
- Research conducted by a multidisciplinary team including individuals with lived experience.
Main Results:
- Participants reported initial diagnostic confusion, active psychosis, and social withdrawal.
- Nearly all participants perceived symptom improvement, linked to enhanced self-management of positive symptoms.
- Significant heterogeneity was observed in perceived functioning, ranging from despair to optimism and engagement in supported environments.
Conclusions:
- Middle-aged and older adults with schizophrenia generally perceive symptom improvement over time.
- Perceptions of functional capacity and outcomes exhibit considerable variability.
- Functional rehabilitation strategies should be individualized to align with diverse perceptions of improvement potential.
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