NCJ Number
145888
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 4 Issue: 1/2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 151-171
Date Published
1992
Length
21 pages
Annotation
Because a persistent difficulty encountered in research on abuse of the elderly involves deriving a consistent definition, the definitions of three leading researchers were used to construct a questionnaire that measured public attitudes toward physical mistreatment of the elderly.
Abstract
The following three definitions were analyzed for similarities and differences: (1) infliction of physical pain or injury, physical coercion; (2) physical contact that harms or is likely to harm; and (3) at least one act of physical violence. Distinct criteria were devised for establishing a situation as physically abusive, including the presence of a physically aggressive act, whether harm occurred as an outcome, and potential for harm. Sentence- long vignettes were then developed to discriminate among the selected definitions. The sample consisted of 125 respondents from a university social work department in Ontario, Canada; 70 percent of the respondents were under 44 years of age, while 13 percent were over 65 years of age. Respondents acknowledged and strongly disapproved of abusive behavior on only two questions. Responses to the remaining questions demonstrated a remarkably tolerant attitude toward elder abuse. Results suggest that what professionals define as physical abuse may be different than the public's view. 22 references, 4 tables, and 1 figure