PERCEIVED ALIENATION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH TYPE II SCHIZOPHRENIA (ALIENATION).
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 227
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Psychology, Clinical.
Description: Individuals with schizophrenia experience difficulty with establishing and maintaining relationships. The difficulty is more pronounced in Type II schizophrenia because characteristics of the illness often lead to diminished interests and capabilities. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of alienation from the perspective of schizophrenic individuals. The theoretical framework related to alienation that guided the study included the following concepts: loneliness, interpersonal social isolation, societal social isolation, and lack of solidarity (Schacht, 1970). A convenience sample of 20 inpatients who had been hospitalized at least twice for the treatment of schizophrenia participated in this exploratory descriptive study. Interviews were conducted with each subject using a semistructured interview guide that focused on general relationships with people, feelings of closeness and separation at specified age groups, and experiences of loneliness, interpersonal and societal social isolation, and lack of solidarity. The taped interviews were transcribed. Qualitative data from the interviews included rich descriptions of the experiences of alienation. Content analysis was performed to categorize data into concepts from the theoretical framework of the study. Additional concepts were identified and coded.

A conceptual model was formulated based on the subjects' responses related to the experience of alienation. Findings indicated that alienation as interpersonal social isolation, societal social isolation, loneliness, and lack of solidarity, was lifelong or began at an early age. Alienation was maintained by feelings of rejection, victimization or abuse, inability to hold jobs, and dependence on the mental health system. The experiences of alienation were increased by stigma, reflected appraisals, elements of the mental health system, and antisocial behavior. Alienation was decreased by interpersonal social interaction, societal social interaction, solitude, solidarity, some elements of the mental health system, belief in spirituality and talking about the experiences associated with alienation. Other aspects of alienation include lack of pleasure, social skills deficits, and avoidance behaviors, as well as a desire to belong and a wish for friends.

The nursing profession can utilize these findings to recognize the impact of alienation on the mentally ill and to design appropriate strategies for improving interactions with schizophrenic individuals. Recommendations for further study include evaluating the effectiveness of nursing interventions in decreasing experiences of alienation and increasing positive interactions with individuals and society.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-04, Section: B, page: 1888.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1993.

School code: 0227.