TY - JOUR
T1 - Social Functioning Among Older Community-Dwelling Patients With Schizophrenia: A Review
AU - Meesters, Paul D.
AU - Stek, Max L.
AU - Comijs, Hannie C.
AU - de Haan, Lieuwe
AU - Patterson, Thomas L.
AU - Eikelenboom, Piet
AU - Beekman, Aartjan T. F.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - Social dysfunction is a hallmark of schizophrenia and a major constituent of its burden of disease. There is a need for more data on social functioning of older schizophrenic patients, because their numbers are rapidly growing and most are residing within the community. This article reviews existing evidence on social functioning in community-dwelling schizophrenic patients older than 55 years, focusing on social roles, social support, and social skills. Thirty-six publications proved fit for inclusion in the review. Studies from outside the United States were underrepresented. The available data suggest that the majority of older schizophrenic patients are well behind their healthy age-peers with respect to various aspects of social functioning. At the same time, a considerable heterogeneity among patients can be found. Cognitive abilities feature as a factor of major impact on social functioning, outweighing clinical symptoms. When evaluating social functioning both objective and subjective appraisals should be taken into account, because they may highlight different aspects of social functioning. Social support, impact of gender, and specific characteristics of older-old patients figure among areas that should be given priority in future research of social functioning in late life schizophrenia. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2010; 18: 862-878)
AB - Social dysfunction is a hallmark of schizophrenia and a major constituent of its burden of disease. There is a need for more data on social functioning of older schizophrenic patients, because their numbers are rapidly growing and most are residing within the community. This article reviews existing evidence on social functioning in community-dwelling schizophrenic patients older than 55 years, focusing on social roles, social support, and social skills. Thirty-six publications proved fit for inclusion in the review. Studies from outside the United States were underrepresented. The available data suggest that the majority of older schizophrenic patients are well behind their healthy age-peers with respect to various aspects of social functioning. At the same time, a considerable heterogeneity among patients can be found. Cognitive abilities feature as a factor of major impact on social functioning, outweighing clinical symptoms. When evaluating social functioning both objective and subjective appraisals should be taken into account, because they may highlight different aspects of social functioning. Social support, impact of gender, and specific characteristics of older-old patients figure among areas that should be given priority in future research of social functioning in late life schizophrenia. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2010; 18: 862-878)
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1097/JGP.0b013e3181e446ff
DO - https://doi.org/10.1097/JGP.0b013e3181e446ff
M3 - Review article
C2 - 20808137
SN - 1064-7481
VL - 18
SP - 862
EP - 878
JO - American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
JF - American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
IS - 10
ER -