Definitions of elder abuse in an Italian sample

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Social Sciences
• Criminology

Background:

• Elder abuse is a significant societal issue with varying definitions.
• Understanding cultural perceptions of elder abuse is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Previous research has not fully explored Italian perspectives on elder abuse severity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze definitions and perceptions of elder abuse in an Italian sample.
• To identify frequently mentioned types of elder abuse across different severity levels.
• To examine the influence of gender and age on the reporting of elder abuse.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory qualitative study design was employed.
• Fifty-three Italian participants (15 males, 38 females) provided examples of mild, moderate, and extreme elder abuse.
• Content analysis was used to identify abuse types and perceived severity.

Main Results:

• Extreme elder abuse examples predominantly involved physical abuse and neglect.
• Moderate and mild abuse examples frequently included psychological aggression and neglect.
• Females reported more financial exploitation in extreme abuse, while younger participants provided more examples of mistreatment.

Conclusions:

• Perceptions of elder abuse severity in Italy are linked to specific types of mistreatment.
• Gender and age significantly influence how elder abuse is defined and reported.
• Findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive approaches to elder abuse prevention and intervention.