As the population of older adults continues to grow, the unique needs of women aging with schizophrenia spectrum disorders remain largely overlooked. A new study coming out of the School of Nursing is challenging this oversight.
Verónica García Walker, PhD, RN, CNE, clinical associate professor, was awarded an R21 grant from the National Institutes of Health to lead groundbreaking research into the lives of aging women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in institutional settings.
This study aims to uncover insights into the social connectedness and quality of life of this vulnerable group, providing a critical foundation for future interventions designed to enhance their well-being. Tracie Harrison, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA, associate dean of research at the University of Iowa, is the co-investigator on the project.
The grant funds early-stage, exploratory research with an emphasis on innovative, high-risk studies that can lead to significant discoveries. With limited preliminary data available, the grant enables García Walker to conduct pilot studies and proof-of-concept research.
“I am given the honor of listening to the life course experiences of women who are aging with the diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders,” García Walker said. “In our recent pilot study, many participants shared that this was the first time they felt someone listened to their stories. Since they seemed to enjoy sharing, and I enjoy listening, we are a good combination.”
García Walker’s research focuses on the theme of social connectedness—a vital aspect of life for many people, but especially critical for those living in institutional environments.
“We will analyze their input in order to extract themes related to social connectedness that are of importance to them, using Elder’s life course theory as a model,” she explained. “This allows us to respect their input as co-collaborators in informing future improvements in their care.”
García Walker’s pilot study has already identified several key issues affecting this population, such as loneliness, lack of social interaction and worries about isolation. These findings will guide interventions to improve their social lives and emotional well-being in institutional settings.
“With the input of adult women aging with the schizophrenia spectrum disorders, we will be able to begin co-development with them of interventions and programs specifically tailored to their situation,” she said. “In this way, we will assist the improvement of their experiences of social connectedness as they age in institutions, taking into consideration factors identified in their perceptions of their life course.”
What sets García Walker’s research apart is its rarity within the field of nursing. Her recent publication in “The Gerontologist” (Walker & Harrison, 2023) was the first documented qualitative study exploring the lives of adults aging with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in institutional settings, she said.
García Walker’s research also seeks to address specific health care challenges facing this group. Institutionalized women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders represent a vulnerable and complex population, and addressing their needs is often overshadowed by stigma and marginalization.
While researching this subject, García Walker highlighted the ethical challenges involved in working with this population.
She noted that while some believe conducting studies with institutionalized and vulnerable individuals is unethical, others argue that restricting such research could be discriminatory and hinder advancements in their care. Excluding these individuals from participation decisions may also increase their experiences of stigma and marginalization, she said. Given the complex challenges faced by institutionalized women aging with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, studying their needs is essential for developing effective interventions that improve their health and well-being.
Her research is not just about studying the participants but about listening to their voices and empowering them to shape the outcomes of the research. García Walker’s work is inspired by years of clinical experience, particularly as a psychiatric floor nurse.
“I have often been shocked by the difficulty of many of their lives and their encounters with stigma,” she said. “Many of my patients in practice had the diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. I wanted to support them as they told their life stories and shared their perceptions of their health care experiences with the world.”
“Veronica‘s work is innovative and important because she is one of the few people to have identified this pressing public health need,” said Karen Fingerman, PhD, Wilson Regents Professor at the UT College of Liberal Arts, who has served as a mentor to García Walker and offered a grant writing workshop she participated in. “The ability to execute this type of project also relies on fostering an interdisciplinary team with strong outreach into the community.” Her research has the potential to make a significant impact on the care and lives of aging women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. By amplifying their voices and experiences, she hopes to foster greater social connectedness and improve the quality of life for a vulnerable and often overlooked population.