NCJ Number
113929
Journal
Pride Institute Journal of Long Term Home Health Care Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1986) Pages: 10-17
Date Published
1986
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study examined factors that would differentiate various types of maltreatment of the elderly in data for 328 persons over 60 years old who were seen at 3 model projects between 1981 and 1983.
Abstract
Over half of the victims were over 75 and bedridden or required a device to aid mobility. Four-fifths were women. The perpetrators were younger than the victims and were likely to be male and live with the victims. Sons were more likely to be perpetrators than daughters, and husbands were more likely to be perpetrators than wives. Psychological abuse was reported in 72 percent of cases, physical in 45.7, material neglect in 35.9, passive neglect in 35.7, and active neglect in 19.8. Compared to perpetrators of material abuse and neglect, perpetrators of psychological and physical abuse were more likely to have experienced a decline in mental status. Of six dependency areas examined (financial resources, companionship, transportation, daily needs, and property maintenance), physical abuse victims were dependent in all areas except companionship and daily needs, while victims of psychological abuse were dependent only in the area of financial resources. In cases of physical and psychological abuse, perpetrators were more likely to be spouses and to have experienced increasing dependency status. Neglect cases were associated with increased external stress and lack of social supports, while material abuse was more likely to be associated with perpetrator financial difficulties. 1 table and 7 notes.