Understanding Elder Abuse in Italy: Perception and Prevalence, Types and Risk Factors From a Review of the Literature

Melchiorre, Maria Gabriella; Penhale, Bridget; Lamura, Giovanni

doi:10.1080/03601277.2014.912839

Cited by 14 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…In this respect Daskalopoulos and Borrelli [ 83 ] indicated that in general the older the individuals were, the less concerned they were with physical and psychological neglect. Thus to be/feel aged seems to act as self-justification for eventual episodes of experienced mistreatment [ 84 ], whereas an increased understanding of elder abuse could help in the recognition and reporting of violent behaviours [ 85 ]. Furthermore, Soares and colleagues [ 20 ] also found that male victims of violence (in their lifetime or in the past 12 months) were more often younger, and they suggested that younger males might be more subjected to abusive behaviour due to a lack of experience and ability to cope with or avoid violent situations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abuse of Older Men in Seven European Countries: A Multilevel Approach in the Framework of an Ecological Model

Melchiorre¹,

Rosa

Lamura³

et al. 2016

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundSeveral studies on elder abuse indicate that a large number of victims are women, but others report that men in later life are also significantly abused, especially when they show symptoms of disability and poor health, and require help for their daily activities as a result. This study focused on the prevalence of different types of abuse experienced by men and on a comparison of male victims and non-victims concerning demographic/socio-economic characteristics, lifestyle/health variables, social support and quality of life. Additionally, the study identified factors associated with different types of abuse experienced by men and characteristics associated with the victims.MethodsThe cross-sectional data concerning abuse in the past 12 months were collected by means of interviews and self-response during January-July 2009, from a sample of 4,467 not demented individuals aged between 60–84 years living in seven European countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain and Sweden). We used a multilevel approach, within the framework of an Ecological Model, to explore the phenomenon of abuse against males as the complex result of factors from multiple levels: individual, relational, community and societal.ResultsMultivariate analyses showed that older men educated to higher levels, blue-collar workers and men living in a rented accommodation were more often victims than those educated to lower levels, low-rank white-collar workers and home owners, respectively. In addition, high scores for factors such as somatic and anxiety symptoms seemed linked with an increased probability of being abused. Conversely, factors such as increased age, worries about daily expenses (financial strain) and greater social support seemed linked with a decreased probability of being abused.ConclusionsMale elder abuse is under-recognized, under-detected and under-reported, mainly due to the vulnerability of older men and to social/cultural norms supporting traditional male characteristics of stoicism and strength. Further specific research on the topic is necessary in the light of the present findings. Such research should focus, in particular, on societal/community aspects, as well as individual and family ones, as allowed by the framework of the Ecological Model, which in turn could represent a useful method also for developing prevention strategies for elder abuse.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abuse of Older Men in Seven European Countries: A Multilevel Approach in the Framework of an Ecological Model

Melchiorre¹,

Rosa

Lamura³

et al. 2016

PLoS ONE

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“…The prevalence of elder abuse in Italy is difficult to estimate, but integrating several sources a rate around 10–14% has been proposed [ 30 ], which is the lowest among seven European countries according to the results of the ABUEL study [ 31 ]. The risk of psychological abuse and financial mistreatment are higher in the domestic settings, with lower rates of physical abuse and neglect.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ABUEL study also showed a higher prevalence of Italian male victims who reported mainly psychological and financial episodes [ 33 ]. “Irregular situations” within institutional care are also frequently reported by the media [ 30 ]. These are usually related to the use of expired medications, poor hygienic conditions and malnutrition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These are usually related to the use of expired medications, poor hygienic conditions and malnutrition. Likewise, abusive situation in form of fraud and thefts are often reported in the Italian media, however, the true relevance of the phenomenon is likely to be underestimated as the financial exploitations occurring within the household, could be often hidden as older people consider almost “natural” the idea to support economically their children or close relatives, and thus they do not perceive this behavior as abusive [ 30 ]. In case the perpetrators are family members, also emotional reasons could prevent older victims from reporting episodes of mistreatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Large part of the abusive episodes, which are often associated with the caregiving burden, often remain unrecognized. This is due to a lack of awareness about what elder abuse concretely is and it is also caused by the systematic under-reporting of abuse episodes by older people themselves, especially when the perpetrator is a family member on whom they are depending for care and support [ 30 ]. Indeed, the traditional engagement of family caregivers, the high costs of care in nursing home, and the lack of adequate welfare policies supporting the victims of elder abuse [ 35 ] have led to the widespread situation where many older people still live with their adult children, who take care of them often in stressful conditions (trying to conciliate family, private life, and caregiving activities).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Validation of the Italian Version of the Caregiver Abuse Screen among Family Caregivers of Older People with Alzheimer’s Disease

Melchiorre

Rosa

Barbabella

et al. 2017

BioMed Research International

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Introduction. Elder abuse is often a hidden phenomenon and, in many cases, screening practices are difficult to implement among older people with dementia. The Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE) is a useful tool which is administered to family caregivers for detecting their potential abusive behavior. Objectives. To validate the Italian version of the CASE tool in the context of family caregiving of older people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to identify risk factors for elder abuse in Italy. Methods. The CASE test was administered to 438 caregivers, recruited in the Up-Tech study. Validity and reliability were evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficients, principal-component analysis, and Cronbach's alphas. The association between the CASE and other variables potentially associated with elder abuse was also analyzed. Results. The factor analysis suggested the presence of a single factor, with a strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86). CASE score was strongly correlated with well-known risk factors of abuse. At multivariate level, main factors associated with CASE total score were caregiver burden and AD-related behavioral disturbances. Conclusions. The Italian version of the CASE is a reliable and consistent screening tool for tackling the risk of being or becoming perpetrators of abuse by family caregivers of people with AD.

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Conflicting Relations, Abuse and Discrimination Experienced by Older Adults

Waldegrave

Aartsen

Lowenstein

et al. 2021

International Perspectives on Aging

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This chapter brings together three dimensions of negative social relations as they impinge on and are experienced by older people, which have not been addressed together in previous studies. Each dimension, conflictual relationships, abuse and discrimination, is characterised by demeaning social interactions that are important to address when considering social exclusion in ageing societies. Five national studies were carried out in Norway, Finland, Israel, Italy and New Zealand. The studies in each dimension confirmed many of the findings of earlier research that have identified the negative health and social relations associations with each dimension. The three dimensions that are usually studied within their own boundaries are brought together to demonstrate the similar way each reduces the quality of life and social inclusion of older people. They function as exclusionary mechanisms in comparable ways within the social relations domain and have an important place in a conceptual framework of old-age social exclusion. While previous research has focussed on each dimension separately, this lens on the similarities and interrelationships of the three dimensions has enabled a broader understanding of exclusionary mechanisms. It also enables more comprehensive and effective policy formation, than a focus on one dimension at a time.

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Understanding Elder Abuse in Italy: Perception and Prevalence, Types and Risk Factors From a Review of the Literature

Cited by 14 publications

References 33 publications

Abuse of Older Men in Seven European Countries: A Multilevel Approach in the Framework of an Ecological Model

Abuse of Older Men in Seven European Countries: A Multilevel Approach in the Framework of an Ecological Model

Validation of the Italian Version of the Caregiver Abuse Screen among Family Caregivers of Older People with Alzheimer’s Disease

Conflicting Relations, Abuse and Discrimination Experienced by Older Adults

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