Functional impairment in older schizophrenic persons. Toward a conceptual model.
The authors examined the determinants and consequences of impaired functioning in older schizophrenic persons by adapting a model of impairment developed by Berkman and Gurland. The sample consisted of 117 persons age 55 or older with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of schizophrenia. In logistic-regression analysis, the overall model attained significance in predicting functional impairment, and three predictor variables-abnormal movements, use of antiparkinsonian agents, and negative symptoms-attained independent significance. Functional impairment had a direct effect on two of the seven resultant variables, community activities and self-health, and an indirect effect on two other resultant variables, depression and life satisfaction. Thus, the Berkman-Gurland Model has potential usefulness for exploring functioning impairment among older schizophrenic persons. Moreover, the variables that have the greatest impact on functional impairment are potentially remediable.
Cohen
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Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
Talavera
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D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment