Older Women’s Descriptions and Understandings of Their Abusers

Abstract

Thirty-eight women who were in abusive relationships since age 55 years were interviewed to understand their abuse stories, ways of coping, and health care experiences. In responding to these questions, women described the nature of the abuse perpetrated by their elderly partners and tried to "make sense" of what they had experienced and to define "who" these men were. This took various forms, from personal theories about aging, to labels (ethnic stereotyping, demonizing, pathologizing) to characterizations of the abuser's private versus public behaviors. The authors explore the implications these findings have for assisting the elderly victim and perpetrator.

Intimate Partner Violence and Its Association With Physical and Mental Health Symptoms Among Older Women in Germany

“…In agreement with previous findings of smaller scale studies (Straka & Montminy, 2006;Zink et al, 2006), there was a decrease in the prevalence of physical and sexual intimate partner violence with women's increased age. At the same time, other forms of intimate partner violence remained the same across different age groups, and whereas the most prevalent form of abuse indicated across all age groups was controlling behavior, a slight increase was found in the prevalence of economic abuse among older women.…”

Life Experiences of Abused Elderly in Geriatric Care in Iasi, Romania. A Qualitative Study

“…Our findings documented that abuse in older adults also results in emotional distress, loss of self-confidence and low self-esteem, depression, social isolation and increased health problems McAlpine 2008;Zink et al, 2006). We noticed in the stories that the elders experienced also psychological symptoms of fear and anxiety as well as feelings of isolation and neglect, insecurity, powerlessness, and worthlessness (Soares et al, 2014).…”

“…The spirituality and religious beliefs were important positive factors that protect the elders against abusive situations (Zink et al, 2006). Elders' participation in the religious practices in their community is an act of being part of the community and of giving and receiving psychological support.…”

“…The stories told by those with experiences of abuse are considered not as descriptive facts but as interpretative co-constructions of which the views and voices of the abusers are not included, especially since there is a prevalent fear related to the involvement of the abusers (Zink et al, 2006).…”

What Do We Know About Older Abusers? A Typology of Violent Husbands Dwelling in Lifelong Intimate Violence Relationships

“…In conclusion, no study to date has examined profiles or patterns of behavior of older abusers from their own point of view (Zink, Jacobson, Regan, Fisher, & Pabst, 2006).…”