Aging women with schizophrenia: experiences of social connection
Perceptions and Experiences of Adult Women Aging with the Diagnosis of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders in Relation to Social Connectedness
This project talks with older women who have schizophrenia to find out how connected or lonely they feel in hospitals and nursing homes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231244 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, researchers will interview women aging with schizophrenia who live in state hospitals or nursing homes about their life experiences and feelings of connection. They will ask how social contact happens in these places, how staff and others approach relationships, and when people feel isolated or supported. The team previously did 30 pilot interviews and will build on those conversations to better understand barriers and needs. The intent is to use our stories to suggest ways institutions can help reduce loneliness and improve daily life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women aged 21 and older with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder who are living in institutional settings like state hospitals or nursing homes are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without a schizophrenia diagnosis, men, or those living independently in the community may not directly benefit from this project's findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to better programs and policies that reduce loneliness and improve well-being for older women with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have performed: Small prior interviews found many women report loneliness, but interventions tailored to this group are limited, so this project builds on preliminary observations.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walker, Veronica G — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Walker, Veronica G
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.