ABSTRACT
Compared to peers in the general population, persons aging with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) face physical health disparities, increased isolation, and decreased subjective experiences of quality of life and wellbeing. To date, limited intervention research focuses on addressing specific needs of persons aging with SMIs and no interventions targeted for that population are informed by the theory and science of positive psychology. With the aim of co-producing a positive-psychology-based program to enhance wellbeing for older adults with SMIs, the author held a series of focus groups and individual interviews with six certified older adult peer specialists. Analysis of the data developed in-depth insights into helpful processes, values, and priorities of individuals aging with SMIs, as well as the creation of a wellbeing-enhancing course curriculum.
Subject(s)
Mental Disorders , Psychology, Positive , Aged , Humans , Peer Group , Quality of Life , SpecializationABSTRACT
Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based modality that can help social workers work with substance-using clients as part of an integrated health care approach. This study reports the findings of a post-graduation one-year follow-up survey of 193 master's and bachelor's social work students trained in SBIRT in practice courses at a Northeast urban college. Forty-three percent of the trainees who were practicing social work after graduation were using SBIRT. A content analysis of participants' comments found that the vast majority found SBIRT to be a valuable practice modality, with barriers to utilization of SBIRT identified.
Subject(s)
Evidence-Based Practice/education , Motivational Interviewing/methods , Person-Centered Psychotherapy/education , Social Work/education , Social Workers/psychology , Substance-Related Disorders/rehabilitation , Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel , Evidence-Based Practice/methods , Evidence-Based Practice/statistics & numerical data , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Mass Screening/methods , Middle Aged , New England , Person-Centered Psychotherapy/methods , Program Evaluation , Referral and Consultation , Social Work/methods , Social Workers/statistics & numerical data , Substance-Related Disorders/diagnosis , Substance-Related Disorders/prevention & control , Substance-Related Disorders/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
Shared themes connected to interpersonal relationships across the life courses of older adults with schizophrenia-spectrum diagnoses were identified in first-person life history narratives and explored in depth. Findings were developed through thematic narrative analysis of 35 interviews with 7 older adults currently in treatment for schizophrenia-spectrum diagnoses. A combination of open-ended questions, life history calendars, and time diaries were used to structure interviews, and narrative and analytical development. Themes of relational losses, relational voids, relational adjustments, relational adaptations, and the need for solitude were identified and located as they occurred in patterns across the life course. Specific implications for theoretical development, practice, policy, and future research on interventions that address social recovery for older adults with schizophrenia are discussed.
Subject(s)
Interpersonal Relations , Personal Narratives as Topic , Schizophrenia , Schizophrenic Psychology , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
I used thematic narrative analysis, informed by the developmental life course perspective, to formulate a line of semistructured questioning for interviews with 6 older adults who experienced ongoing symptoms of schizophrenia. From the 31 resulting interviews and 38 observation points, I developed life history narratives that yielded findings across four shared core themes. In this article I present my findings on the theme of narrative insight into schizophrenia in later years. Whereas only 2 of the participants had clinical insight into their mental illness, all had developed personal stories about their lives with schizophrenia. I discuss the significance of the shared narrative profile and the importance of using narrative insight to develop more effective clinical practices and to focus future research with older adults with schizophrenia.
Subject(s)
Personal Narratives as Topic , Schizophrenia , Schizophrenic Psychology , Self Concept , Aged , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
This study used thematic narrative analysis to develop an understanding of how older adults with ongoing symptoms of schizophrenia who have experienced homelessness understand and express their life course and present-time narratives of homelessness, housing, and home. Findings were developed from 26 individual interviews with five study participants and 33 systematic field observations of their homes, treatment environments and neighborhoods. Presentation of the participants' narratives illuminates how participants experienced shared challenges in unique ways and the meaning they assigned to experiences of homelessness, housing and home, particularly in regard to identity and ongoing challenges. While all participants were housed, housing did not equate to a sense of being home. Implications for social work practice and policy, and directions for future research, are discussed.
