The Life Course Paradigm as a Lens for Holistic Nursing Research in Older Adults Diagnosed With Schizophrenia

Abstract

Older adults diagnosed with schizophrenia (OADWS) have unique needs for care and live longer today than their forebears who were diagnosed with schizophrenia. As a result, nurses need to be prepared for the specific care of individuals who live with schizophrenia as they age. Together, Life Course Theory and holistic nursing suggest a good fit in the quest for successful solutions and/or outcomes for the unique problems that OADWS face. Holistic nursing views the patient as a whole person, considering all aspects of the patient’s experiences within life’s broader environment. The life course paradigm offers an effective way for nurses to understand issues that patients face throughout their lives, thus enhancing holistic nursing with a historical perspective. This is especially important for the care of OADWS, who face unique disparities as well as physical and psychological comorbidities over their life course. This article is intended to initiate a discussion of OADWS, focused with Life Course Theory as a holistic lens. Literature pertinent to the life course of OADWS is reviewed, followed by an analysis of the life course paradigm in relation to OADWS’ unique experiences. Conclusions support the holistic use of Life Course Theory in research and interventions for OADWS.

Communication strategies for nursing research with older adults diagnosed with schizophrenia using life course theory

“…As a theoretical structure for organizing nursing research (Lim & Song, 2019;Walker, 2019), Elder's LCT (Elder, 1996;Elder & Giele, 2009) can inform strategies to promote effective communication with OADWS (Walker, 2019)…”

“…[AHNA], 2021; Lee, 2016;Walker, 2019). Shortened intervals of research participation may also have long-term positive benefits for OADWS, who may have had limited interactions with family and friends along the life course related to the sometimes isolating symptoms of their mental illness.…”

“…Shortened intervals present a method to treat OADWS as valued individuals by demonstrating patience for the extra time it may take to collect their input during research (AHNA, 2021;Walker, 2019).…”

“…Nevertheless, although older adults diagnosed with schizophrenia (OADWS) have unique, complex problems (Siddi et al, 2019) and are living longer than in the past, they are seldom the focus of holistic nursing research (Delaney et al, 2018;Walker, 2019). Healthcare providers often report they are unprepared to work with the physical and mental complexities of OADWS (Kusmaul, 2016;Walker & Walker, 2021).…”

“…The mean life expectancies of those with schizophrenia are 20 years less than the general population's, possibly owing to traumatic life course experiences (Liu et al, 2021; Longden et al, 2020), accelerated aging (Lee, 2016; Moradi et al, 2018; Muntané et al, 2021; NIMH, 2018; Seeman, 2019), and comorbidities, which can include depression, substance use, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes (Brooks et al, 2019; Crespo‐Facorro et al, 2021; Gur et al, 2018; Nath et al, 2021; Siddi et al, 2019; Toender et al, 2020). Nevertheless, although older adults diagnosed with schizophrenia (OADWS) have unique, complex problems (Siddi et al, 2019) and are living longer than in the past, they are seldom the focus of holistic nursing research (Delaney et al, 2018; Walker, 2019). Healthcare providers often report they are unprepared to work with the physical and mental complexities of OADWS (Kusmaul, 2016; Walker & Walker, 2021).…”