Turkey: a pilot study of elder mistreatment in a convenience sample

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sociology
• Criminology

Background:

• Elder abuse is a significant global issue with varying cultural interpretations.
• Understanding cultural perspectives on elder abuse is crucial for developing effective interventions.
• Previous research has highlighted the prevalence of elder abuse, but cultural nuances require further exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore attitudes towards elder abuse within a Turkish cultural context.
• To identify specific behaviors perceived as abusive by adult children towards their elderly parents.
• To categorize types and severity levels of elder abuse.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 39 adults (25 females, 14 males) aged 22-58 in Turkey.
• Participants provided examples of behaviors considered extremely, moderately, and mildly abusive.
• Responses were coded into four major categories: psychological aggression, neglect, physical aggression, and mistreatment related to goods and services.

Main Results:

• Extreme elder abuse was most commonly exemplified by neglect (particularly physical neglect) and physical abuse.
• Moderate and mild forms of abuse were predominantly characterized by psychological aggression.
• Men reported more instances of verbal aggression as extreme abuse than women, and older age correlated with more abandonment examples.

Conclusions:

• Cultural perceptions significantly shape the understanding and reporting of elder abuse severity.
• Psychological aggression is a prevalent form of milder elder abuse in this Turkish sample.
• Interventions should consider cultural specificities and gender/age dynamics in elder abuse.