Aetiology of schizophrenia and implications for nursing practice : a literature review

Schizophrenia is recognised as a major mental illness and is prevalent in approximately 1% of the global population. This paper reviewed literature published between 2001 and 2013 to explore the aetiology of schizophrenia and discuss implications for mental health nursing practice. Although the causes of schizophrenia are largely unknown, there is a strong correlation between identified physiological and environmental markers and the development of the disease. With this knowledge, mental health nurses can potentially contribute to the development of strategies and approaches to complement current treatments, and therefore ensure improved outcomes for mental health clients.