Elder abuse victimization patterns: latent class analysis using perpetrators and abusive behaviours.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Criminology
• Sociology

Background:

• Elder abuse is a complex issue with diverse behaviors, victims, perpetrators, and settings.
• Existing typologies struggle to capture the full spectrum of elder abuse configurations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify distinct elder abuse victimization patterns (latent classes).
• To analyze these patterns based on abusive behaviors and perpetrator relationships.
• To determine associations between these classes and victim characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Latent Class Analysis (LCA) on data from two elder abuse surveys.
• Analyzed a population-based sample (N=245) and a victim-seeking-help sample (N=510).
• Included items on physical, psychological, and financial abuse, and perpetrator relationships.

Main Results:

• Identified six distinct latent classes of victimization in both samples.
• Population-based classes included verbal abuse, psychological abuse by family, neglect, financial exploitation, and intimate partner violence (IPV).
• Victim-seeking-help classes included abuse by family, IPV, polyvictimization, and neglect; these classes differed significantly in victim demographics and support.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the multidimensionality of elder abuse beyond classical typologies.
• Elder abuse victims seeking help may differ from those identified in general population studies.
• The relationship with the perpetrator appears crucial for distinguishing victimization experiences and developing targeted interventions.