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Objectives To estimate past-year prevalence and identify risk and protective factors of elder emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. Design Cross-sectional, population-based study using random-digit-dial sampling and direct telephone interviews. Setting New York State households. Participants Representative (race, ethnicity, sex) sample (N = 4,156) of English- or Spanish-speaking, community-dwelling, cognitively intact individuals aged 60 and older. Measurements The Conflict Tactics Scale was adapted to assess elder emotional and physical abuse. Elder neglect was evaluated according to failure of a responsible caregiver to meet an older adult's needs using the Duke Older Americans Resources and Services ( OARS) scale. Caseness thresholds were based on mistreatment behavior frequencies and elder perceptions of problem seriousness. Results Past-year prevalence of elder emotional abuse was 1.9%, of physical abuse was 1.8%, and of neglect was 1.8%, with an aggregate prevalence of 4.6%. Emotional and physical abuse were associated with being separated or divorced, living in a lower-income household, functional impairment, and younger age. Neglect was associated with poor health, being separated or divorced, living below the poverty line, and younger age. Neglect was less likely in older adults of Hispanic ethnicity. Conclusion Elder abuse and neglect are common problems, with divergent risk and protective factor profiles. These findings have direct implications for public screening and education and awareness efforts designed to prevent elder mistreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that examines the impact of a Problem-Solving Therapy and anxiety management therapy named PROTECT on mistreated older women. Results reveal that PROTECT clients experienced a large decrease in depressive symptoms, that women in the PROTECT group reported significant self-efficacy improvement in problem solving, and that respondents were more likely to declare having most or all of their needs met upon follow-up.

A study was conducted at the New York City Department for the Aging Elderly Crime Victim's Unit (ECVU) to examine the relationship between dependency and compliance rates. Dependency was defined by the total score for each case on the Victim Dependency Scale and Abuser Dependency Scale. Compliance was defined as the act of accepting a referral and compliance rates were determined by counting the total number of referrals the victim accepted. Findings indicated that the only factor associated with compliance rates was if the abuser had a mental illness/substance abuse problem. If the abuser did have this problem, the victim was significantly more likely to accept a referral for services as compared to victims whose abusers did not have a mental illness/substance abuse problem (t = -2.11 A, df = 36.899, p < .01). The authors offer explanations as to why this research was important and the implications it has on future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Findings from a study utilizing grandparent and child welfare worker locus groups demonstrate that professionals can learn about elder abuse from older people who may be experiencing abuse. This challenges the assumption that elder abuse is a social problem that must be defined by professionals because abuse victims are unable to speak for themselves. Differences in perceptions between African American and Latina grandparents underscore the importance of incorporating of diversity into elder abuse research. Examining elder abuse from the perspective of clients and professionals in service systems not traditionally associated with this social problem can promote case finding and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined the relationship among elder abuse, abuser pathology and the criminal justice system through the survey undertaken by the Department for the Aging of older victims of reported domestic abuse in New York, New York. Analysis of the characteristics of the victim compared with the abuser; Comparison of impaired and unimpaired abusers; Findings and conclusion.