Prevalence and Psychological Impact of Chinese Elder Abuse

• NCJ Number: 209237
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 16 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 1158-1174
• Author(s): Elsie Yan; Catherine So-Kum Tang
• Date Published: November 2001
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the prevalence and psychological consequences of elder abuse among a sample of Chinese residing in Hong Kong.

Abstract

While there has been an abundance of research on domestic violence over the years, the study of elder abuse has emerged only during the past two decades and few of these studies have examined the impact of elder abuse on its victims. Given that the population of Hong Kong is rapidly aging and that social changes have strained traditional Chinese family relationships, the current study aimed to explore elder abuse among a sample of 355 elderly Chinese residing in Hong Kong. Under investigation was the prevalence of elder abuse among Chinese families, the association of elder abuse with dependence on caregivers, and the psychological impact of this abuse for its victims. Participants completed questionnaires probing demographic information, experiences of abuse, mental health, and degree of dependence on caregiver. Results of statistical analyses indicated that the overall prevalence of elder abuse in Hong Kong is approximately 21.4 percent. Most participants reported verbal abuse (20.8 percent), while only 2 percent of participants reported physical abuse. No significant differences were found between male and female participants. Responses to the General Health Questionnaire indicated that abused elders displayed significantly more psychological distress than did their nonabused counterparts. In terms of dependence on caregivers, abused participants reported higher levels of dependence than did nonabused participants however, this difference did not predict psychological distress after controlling for physical and verbal abuse. The findings provide important information toward the development of medical and social interventions and policies designed to improve the quality of life for elderly people. Tables, references