Psychosis and schizophrenic disorders in the elderly: an exploration of psychosocial factors which may influence emergence in late life

Abstract

There is ongoing debate as to the aetiological factors underpinning the emergence of schizophrenia-like psychosis for the first time in later life. The current report highlights findings from a study of 46 elderly subjects presenting with their first episode of psychosis in the absence of a primary diagnosis of affective disturbance or dementia. Psychosocial factors, particularly developmental stage, personality style and social isolation, were explored as to their possible contribution to the emergence of psychosis in late-life. A vulnerability-stress model of causation was proposed involving the likely interaction between a number of aetiological factors across both biological and psychosocial domains.