NCJ Number
146704
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (1993) Pages: 37-54
Date Published
1993
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The author explains the reasons for the lack of research into elder abuse in Britain.
Abstract
Basically, there are two reasons: methodological difficulties in developing indicators of abuse, and ethical problems in using self-disclosure and victimization surveys when researching a sensitive topic. These factors are not unique to elder abuse. However, the issue of elder abuse, unlike, for example, that of child abuse, is complicated by variabilities in the respective roles of the state and the family in caregiving. There is also a significant potential for mutual abuse between elderly persons and their caregivers, which makes responsibility for abuse even more ambiguous. A review of studies of elder abuse highlights some of the problems inherent in the research. In-depth, qualitative interviewing of victims and perpetrators are needed in order to reveal the underlying processes that lead to elder abuse. The efficacy of such interviewing will be enhanced if the immediate safety concerns of abused elders are taken care of. Interviewers will need therapeutic skills in order to draw useful responses from the interviewees. In addition, relationship as well as environmental factors will have to be taken into account. 4 tables and 17 references