Unveiling the hidden violence : perceptions on elder abuse of older people living in a small island community

Abstract

The main purpose of this dissertation is to describe the elderly persons’ opinions and perceptions on elder abuse and subsequently to provide an understanding of the main factors leading to such abusive acts. Due to an increase in longevity, different research has to focus on issues which might negatively affect the ageing population, including research on elder abuse. Another aim of this research study is that given that elderly persons can be subjected to different categories and forms of abuse, it is imperative that their feedback on the subject matter is gathered so as to equip better social scientists and policy makers in understanding better this complex social phenomenon. The theoretical framework used in this research is that of the social ecological model which attributes the occurrence of elder abuse as the result of the complicated dynamics between different levels in society. Another theory to be tested in this research is that exposure to diminishment of personhood can in actual fact trigger elder abuse situations. This study involves elderly persons living in three different small island communities namely; Sicily, Malta and Gozo. A thematic approach was used as research method to place the author in a better position to answer the research’ questions of this study in a scientific way, while, simultaneously portraying exactly the elderly participants’ perceptions and opinions about the subject matter. Different main themes emerged after an in depth analysis of the information gathered from participants; the elderly participants’ understanding of what defines elder abuse and the identification of the main forms of elder abuse as expressed by participants are financial abuse through psychological manipulation, financial abuse by strangers through robbery/theft and physical assault, physical and psychological abuse through isolation and neglect in institutions and lack of respect and diminishment of personhood exhibited towards the elderly citizens which in turns propagates other forms of abuse. The theme covering the risk factors of elder abuse was divided in three sub themes which included risk factors pertaining to the individual elderly per se’, another subtheme discussed the risk factors associated with perpetrators of elder abuse and the last subtheme covered risk factors present in the environment where elder persons live. Fear of crime was another emergent theme and participants gave this issue due importance because firstly, elderly persons are aware of their vulnerable and frail nature and therefore are aware of their limitations in avoiding abusive situations and secondly victims of elder abuse experience fear of being re-victimized. Another theme focused on prevention strategies that included the importance of socialisation, education and support to all stakeholders, raising awareness, good practice in institutions as well as facilitating intergenerational relationships. As far as services are concerned, the participants stressed the importance of delivering services which facilitate an independent living to the elderly. Moreover, participants stated that a multidisciplinary approach is needed when professionals deal with cases of elder abuse. The introduction of new legislations which specifically address elder abuse is also needed. The last theme focused on the dynamics in which elder abuse occurs as explained by applying the Social Ecological Model.