Kyung-Mi Sung1, Kathryn R Puskar. 1. University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. sung@pitt.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to identify the salient themes that characterize the life experiences of college students with schizophrenia. METHODS: Twenty-one schizophrenia patients enrolled in college underwent in-depth interviews employing semistructured questionnaires. The content of the interviews was analyzed for recurring themes and categories of experience. FINDINGS: Analyses revealed 25 themes and six categories of experience. Subjects reported the experiences of school life (23.6%), interactions with family (22.2%), interactions with friends (21.9%), a mental illness (20.5%), everyday life (6.1%), and social role performance (5.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the need for treatment options that meet the students' actual life experiences focusing on developmental characteristics and needs.
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to identify the salient themes that characterize the life experiences of college students with schizophrenia. METHODS: Twenty-one schizophreniapatients enrolled in college underwent in-depth interviews employing semistructured questionnaires. The content of the interviews was analyzed for recurring themes and categories of experience. FINDINGS: Analyses revealed 25 themes and six categories of experience. Subjects reported the experiences of school life (23.6%), interactions with family (22.2%), interactions with friends (21.9%), a mental illness (20.5%), everyday life (6.1%), and social role performance (5.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the need for treatment options that meet the students' actual life experiences focusing on developmental characteristics and needs.