Chinese healthcare professionals' perceptions of interventions in elder abuse: a qualitative study

Elder abuse is a growing public health concern in aging Chinese populations, yet timely intervention by healthcare professionals is often hindered by cultural factors. This study aimed to explore hospital-based healthcare professionals' perceptions of elder abuse interventions across personal, behavioral, and environmental dimensions, to inform future training program design.

This qualitative study explored perceptions of elder abuse interventions through semi-structured interviews with 24 participants (12 medical doctors and 12 nurses) from two tertiary hospitals in Yichang, China. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to examine cultural influences and professional differences.

Perceptions regarding elder abuse interventions were dynamically influenced by the interaction of personal factors (knowledge and skills, outcome expectancies, self-efficacy, and role cognition), behavioral factors (direct and indirect intervention), and environmental factors (family, hospital, and government levels). A distinct cultural theme-family boundary concerns-significantly influenced intervention willingness. Nurses highlighted empathy, life care, and public support, whereas medical doctors emphasized professional responsibility and institutional coordination.

Findings support the SCT triadic reciprocal determinism: personal factors influence and are influenced by behavioral and environmental elements. Consequently, a multilevel strategy aligned with SCT, such as enhancing personal capacity, strengthening institutional support, and optimizing systemic safeguards, is essential to empower hospital-based healthcare professionals to intervene in elder abuse.