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Framing abuse: explaining the incidence, perpetuation, and intervention in elder abuse

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2013

Yuliya Mysyuk ,
Rudi G. J. Westendorp  and
Jolanda Lindenberg
Yuliya Mysyuk*
Affiliation:
Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing, Poortgebouw LUMC, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden, the Netherlands
Rudi G. J. Westendorp
Affiliation:
Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing, Poortgebouw LUMC, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden, the Netherlands
Jolanda Lindenberg
Affiliation:
Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing, Poortgebouw LUMC, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden, the Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Yuliya Mysyuk, Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing, Poortgebouw LUMC, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden, the Netherlands. Phone: +31 71 5240960. Email: mysyuk@leydenacademy.nl.
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Abstract

Background: The role of individual characteristics in incidences of elder abuse has long been highest on research and policy agendas. Now, it is timely to discuss factors that go beyond victim and perpetrator. Environmental factors also play an important role in elder abuse. In this paper, we address the framing of elder abuse as a social and health problem. Attention is paid to the factors that influence societal context and the healthcare system, its organization, structure, and principles.

Methods: Focus groups and in-depth semi-structured interviews were held with different professionals and older people themselves. Qualitative analysis of focus groups and interviews transcripts was performed to analyze how different professional groups and older persons themselves view elder abuse, to determine opinions and attitudes toward elder abuse and the necessary actions that should be taken to prevent or intervene in the problem.

Results: Two main explanatory frameworks emerged in the discourse of older persons and care professionals: social arrangements and healthcare system. The themes within the social arrangements included social taboo, social control and responsibility, and institutional cultures. The fragmentation of care and changes in the financing of healthcare were two aspects distinguished within the framework of the healthcare system.

Conclusion: Two explanatory frameworks showed elder abuse as both a social and health problem. The environmental factors through social arrangements and healthcare system have an influence on framing of abuse. The different ways of framing abuse impact the understanding of abuse, ways of intervention, and prevention measures.

Keywords

elder abusequalitative researchframingenvironmental factorshealthcareneoliberalism
Type
Special Issue Research Articles
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 25 , Issue 8: Elder abuse an international perspective , August 2013 , pp. 1267 - 1274
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2013 

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