Exploring the Characteristics of Elder Perpetrators Through Systematic Review: A Profile-Based Approach
Faculty Mentor Name
John Woodman
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
With longer lifespans and a substantial aging cohort abuse against older adults is a growing concern yet often under investigated. Literature on elder abuse is typically focused on victims and types of abuse experienced rather than understanding the offenders. Articles which have suggested profiles of abusers have differing criteria. The purpose of this systematic review was to combine these criteria to create a common ground concerning abuser characteristic profiles. The initial search strategy across two databases yielded 820 non-duplicated articles. After reduction for specific relevance, five papers were included from the initial search as well as two additional from evaluation of sources from those papers. The included articles revealed numerous overlapping characteristics of elder abusers. With four characteristic types despite the different labels throughout literature. The first type of abuser is characterized as a caregiver whose stress results in abuse. The second is a caregiver that is dependent on the financial or emotional resources of the elderly causing them to be exploited or neglected. Third, is a self-centered abuser who seizes an opportunity for exploitation. Last, is an abuser who planned to hurt or exploit the other person either for internal or external gain. This systematic review identified commonalities in perpetrator profiles and some gaps in information. Notably, four distinct profiles of elder abusers and their application across types of abuse were uncovered. Defining profiles of elder abusers could facilitate new strides towards assisting common custodians of elders such as social workers, nurses, investigators, and family members identify trends toward abuse. Future goals from this work include the creation of a comprehensive new measure that would aid in reporting elder abuse, and recognition of those more prone to be perpetrators of elder abuse for earlier intervention and prevention strategies.
Exploring the Characteristics of Elder Perpetrators Through Systematic Review: A Profile-Based Approach
With longer lifespans and a substantial aging cohort abuse against older adults is a growing concern yet often under investigated. Literature on elder abuse is typically focused on victims and types of abuse experienced rather than understanding the offenders. Articles which have suggested profiles of abusers have differing criteria. The purpose of this systematic review was to combine these criteria to create a common ground concerning abuser characteristic profiles. The initial search strategy across two databases yielded 820 non-duplicated articles. After reduction for specific relevance, five papers were included from the initial search as well as two additional from evaluation of sources from those papers. The included articles revealed numerous overlapping characteristics of elder abusers. With four characteristic types despite the different labels throughout literature. The first type of abuser is characterized as a caregiver whose stress results in abuse. The second is a caregiver that is dependent on the financial or emotional resources of the elderly causing them to be exploited or neglected. Third, is a self-centered abuser who seizes an opportunity for exploitation. Last, is an abuser who planned to hurt or exploit the other person either for internal or external gain. This systematic review identified commonalities in perpetrator profiles and some gaps in information. Notably, four distinct profiles of elder abusers and their application across types of abuse were uncovered. Defining profiles of elder abusers could facilitate new strides towards assisting common custodians of elders such as social workers, nurses, investigators, and family members identify trends toward abuse. Future goals from this work include the creation of a comprehensive new measure that would aid in reporting elder abuse, and recognition of those more prone to be perpetrators of elder abuse for earlier intervention and prevention strategies.