Since social support is known to be an important protective factor against elder financial exploitation (FE), this study examined perceived social support, social network size, and interactions with close network members (positive and negative) as potential predictors of FE.
A total of 395 community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older were recruited to complete a 90-minute survey and interview. The OLS regression was used to examine the role of social support in FE. Other risk factors associated with FE, including dependency, poor physical health, depression, cognition, and demographic characteristics, were included as potential predictors. Negative interactions with close network members predicted FE, and they remained predictive when all other variables and social support factors were included in the model. Other social support factors were not unique predictors of FE. The study concludes that negative social interactions with close network members are important in assessing and considering FE prevention and intervention programs; relationships between social interactions and other risk factors warrant further attention. 3 tables and 46 references (publisher abstract modified)