“Like Every Normal Person?!” The Paradoxical Effect of Aging With Schizophrenia

מאת: Mushkin P., Band-Winterstein T., Avieli H.
פורסם ב: Qualitative Health Research
תיאור: Studies on aging with schizophrenia have focused mainly on the adversities of aging with mental illness. The present study, however, examined the subjective experience of well-being among individuals with schizophrenia. Taking a phenomenological reflective life-world approach, in-depth, semistructured interviews with 18 aging individuals with schizophrenia were thematically analyzed. Four main themes emerged: (a) “I love the pills.. they are very helpful”: A balanced course of the illness as a basis for well-being in old age; (b) “I’m going to have my own exhibition at the museum”: Self-fulfillment as promoting well-being; (c) “It’s just like a family here”: Experiencing a sense of belonging; and (d) “I live like everyone else”: Aging as an opportunity for normalization. Alongside hardship, the participants perceived old age as a “window of opportunity,” enabling the fulfillment of lifelong desires for a social life, acceptance, and a satisfying occupation. Implications regarding interventions with this unique population are discussed. © 2018, © The Author(s) 2018.
SDGs : SDG 03  |  יחידות: מדעי הרווחה והבריאות  | מועד: 2018 |  קישור