This article aims to map existing prevalence research on abuse and neglect of older people and to provide a critical overview of existing methodologies, which have been adopted to survey the prevalence rates of abuse against elders. This article is part of the prevalence study of Abuse and Violence against Older Women (AVOW) study, which was conducted in five European countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, Lithuania, and Portugal). The article provides an overview of the state of the art of prevalence data, survey designs and methods, instruments and results in Europe. Therefore, this draws on an extensive literature search and qualitative content analysis, which was conducted as an early part of the AVOW study. Results indicate that some EU countries have a rich history of prevalence research, whereas other countries have just begun to tackle this aspect of research on of elder abuse. One of the lacunae concerns reliable numbers on the prevalence rates of elder abuse. Research about where, when and how often elder abuse occurs, is inadequate and inconsistent. Data in some cases are based on professionals' reports rather than on information from older people themselves. Surveying elders about such a sensitive topic, however, implies the need for an adequate research instrument (questionnaire) and research design, and an adapted data collection method. In conclusion, substantial attention is paid to outlining possible guidelines for future research.

IntroductionWHO and the International Network of the Prevention of Elder Abuse have recognised the abuse of older people as a significant global problem. Notwithstanding this recognition, generally the issue of elder abuse does not emerge as a major theme in research nor in the work of policymakers.MethodThis research is part of the “prevalence study of Abuse and Violence against Older Women” (AVOW) which is funded by the EU's Daphne III programme. The AVOW-study aims to provide knowledge about the prevalence of abuse and violence against older women in five European countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, Lithuania and Portugal). The first phase of the research consisted of providing an overview about the state of the art of prevalence research on elder abuse, survey designs and methods, instruments and results in all European countries. Therefore, an extensive literature search and qualitative content analysis was conducted.Results and ConclusionSome EU-countries have a rich history of prevalence research, whereas other countries have just begun to tackle the issue. One of the lacunae concerns reliable data on the prevalence of elder abuse. Research about where, when and how often elder abuse occurs, is largely inadequate and inconsistent. Surveying elders on such a sensitive topic, however, implies a modified questionnaire and an adapted data collection method. Conclusively, substantive attention is paid to develop possible guidelines for future research.

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In dit artikel wordt nagegaan of werklozen en baanonzekeren van elkaar verschillen inzake hun welzijn en gezondheid. Een overzicht van theorieën suggereert twee mogelijkheden: werkloosheid is problematischer dan baanonzekerheid of beide fenomenen zijn even problematisch voor de gezondheid en het welzijn. Het doel van dit onderzoek is om na te gaan welke mogelijkheid opgaat om zo bij te dragen aan de validering van theorieën (theoretische relevantie) en te bepalen welk fenomeen prioritair beleidsaandacht dient te krijgen (praktische relevantie). Via een systematisch literatuuroverzicht werden tien artikelen geïnventariseerd waaruit met statistische zekerheid conclusies getrokken kunnen worden over de gezondheids- en welzijnsverschillen tussen beide categorieën. De meeste studies suggereren geen onderscheid met betrekking tot verschillende psychische, lichamelijke, en gedragsmatige welzijns- en gezondheidsreacties tussen werklozen en baanonzekeren. Slechts in enkele studies worden wel verschillen vastgesteld, waarbij soms de baanonzekeren en soms de werklozen een slechtere gezondheid en/of een lager welzijn vertonen. De resultaten zijn dus voornamelijk in overeenstemming met de theoretische stroming die stelt dat werkloosheid en baanonzekerheid even nadelig zijn, omdat beide in dezelfde mate hulpbronnen bedreigen of doen verliezen. We concluderen dat zowel werkloosheid als baanonzekerheid en hun gevolgen gereduceerd dienen te worden en bespreken enkele manieren waarop dit kan worden bereikt.

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