A Qualitative Investigation on Elder Abuse Survivors

Abstract

A total of 40 elder abuse survivors recruited from shelters shared their experience of abuse and help seeking in in-depth interviews. Participants reported diverse types of abuse including psychological and social abuse, physical abuse, violation of persona rights, financial exploitations, etc. Majority of the participants reported a long-standing violent relationship in their families. Many have tolerated an abusive spousal relationship for decades. Intergenerational transmission of violence was evident. Many reported having been victims of spousal abuse earlier in their lives, and later fall victims of abuse by their children and children-in-laws. Cultural beliefs, including perceptions that “one shouldn’t hang dirty laundry in public”, “blood is thicker than water”, “it is fate” are salient themes that emerged in the interviews. Participant reported a sense of entrapment in the abusive situations. Many recalled that they tolerated the abuse as they did not know where and from whom to seek help. Majority of the participants did not seek help proactively, instead, they were identified by their friends or neighbors as abuse victims before being referred to the shelter. When asked of whether their experience constitute abuse, most indicated they did not consider their experience abuse, and many reported that “they would not meddle with others’ business” even if they know someone falling victims of elder abuse.