NCJ Number
176426
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: 1997 Pages: 1-19
Date Published
1997
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The aim of this study was to describe interventions suggested by Swedish formal caregivers in three hypothetical elder abuse cases.
Abstract
Questionnaires concerning elder abuse were distributed to 42 general practitioners, 42 district nurses, and 36 home service assistants, and 58 percent responded. Additional questionnaires were sent to the entire sample 1 month after the first questionnaires to obtain information on the respondent's profession and why they did not respond. Of the 51 nonrespondents, 18 (36 percent) returned questionnaires. The 71 respondents provided information on three cases--spouse abuse case, dependent adult child case, and caregiving relative case. In all three situations, respondents had to indicate what interventions they would recommend. Cluster analysis of interventions was performed to explore patterns and to reduce the number of variables. Respondents suggested few interventions. They primarily viewed the problem of elder abuse as a social one, more specifically one for health care and voluntary organizations. Respondent professions were significantly related to their suggested interventions; for example, district nurses suggested more interventions of all types than other professions. Each professional group and organization seemed to develop their own view of elder abuse. Suggested interventions were related to professional discipline, the specific type of situation, and the two cultures of health and social care. 37 references, 4 tables, and 1 figure