Theory-based models enhancing the understanding of four types of elder maltreatment

Abstract

Notwithstanding that elder abuse has existed since antiquity, it was only during the 1990s that society began to recognize that elder abuse is a pervasive and pernicious problem needing a systematic response. Despite this emerging attention to elder abuse and society's dedicated efforts to address it, little attention has been given to articulating a theory-based foundation to explain the occurrence of elder maltreatment, which in turn may explain why society's efforts have had limited success. Using the results of our research as the foundation, we present here distinct models that encapsulate four types of elder maltreatment, including one model that focuses on what transpires when two relatively distinct forms of abuse co-occur. We assert that elder maltreatment should be divided into distinct subtypes reflecting their different etiologies, risk factors, interpersonal dynamics, correlates, and consequences, and which in turn necessitate distinct societal responses. Without recognizing that this abuse occurs in the context of a relationship, understanding of elder abuse and the building of relevant models will be significantly limited. Although the application of these models has not yet been empirically tested, their articulation should enhance the understanding of elder maltreatment and promote new lines of related research and societal responses.

Elder abuse victimization patterns: latent class analysis using perpetrators and abusive behaviours

“…The characterisation and description of elder abuse as “monolithic” and the tendency of over inclusion all its possible configurations affects the value of research evidence, measures, social policies, clinical tools and/or interventions guidelines. Existing typologies do not properly address the different victimization experiences in terms of risk factors, determinants and perpetrators [13–15]. Aware of this issue, studies have developed approaches according to specific types of elder abuse rather than focusing on the overall construct [14, 16–19].…”

The state of theory in elder family financial exploitation: A systematic review

“…Therefore, we excluded nonempirical articles (e.g., review and conceptual articles) and elder financial abuse articles without a clear family focus (e.g., an involvement of health professionals, social welfare, or legal systems). Evidence of differing risk and protective factors, origins, processes, and consequences between financial fraud and EFFE reinforces the need to conceptually and practically distinguish the two subtypes of financial exploitation (DeLiema, 2018; Jackson, 2014; Jackson & Hafemeister, 2016). The social contexts of each subtype offer critical differences, with EFFE taking place within the complexities of long and often complex intergenerational family dynamics.…”

“…We assume that multiple theoretical lenses are needed to understand the complexities of EFFE, including why EFFE happens in some families and not others, the reciprocal nature of EFFE, family relationships, and family systems. We focus on EFFE as distinguished from other types of elder abuse because of its different etiology, risk factors, family interpersonal dynamics, and consequences (Jackson, 2014; Jackson & Hafemeister, 2016).…”

Recognizing the Trauma Experienced by Community-Dwelling Older Victims of Financial Abuse Perpetrated by Trusted Others

“…However, we have learned from the intimate partner violence field that a decision to abandon a relationship is complex (Anderson and Saunders 2003), a decision that is all the more complex when the situation involves a parent and an adult child. These cases, however, are descriptive and do not explain the etiology of financial abuse (Jackson and Hafemeister 2016).…”