A Systematic Review of Sexual Assaults in Nursing Homes

Smith, Daisy; Bugeja, Lyndal; Cunningham, Nicola; Ibrahim, Joseph E.

doi:10.1093/geront/gnx022

Cited by 19 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The prevalence rate of sexual abuse was low in our study, which is consistent with other studies [21,24,29]. Sexual assault is one of the most shocking types of abuse, and therefore considered the most hidden and least acknowledged [17]. Ageism and negative stereotypes towards older adults' sexuality might impede nursing staff in recognizing sexual abuse of residents, thus staff need better knowledge and training in the detection, examination and managing of sexual assaults in nursing homes [55].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Existing literature does however provide a wide range of prevalence estimates, influenced by the perspective from which the abuse is measured and understood, definitions and data collection methods used, and variation in reference periods to measure the extent of abuse [12,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. A literature synthesis found approximately 40 definitions and several subtypes of abuse [20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Elder abuse in Norwegian nursing homes: a cross-sectional exploratory study

Botngård

Eide

Mosqueda

et al. 2020

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background: Elder abuse is a global public health and human rights problem that is predicted to increase as many countries experience a rapid growth in their population of older adults. Elder abuse undermines an older person's well-being and is associated with a range of serious health consequences. In institutional care settings, older residents are particularly vulnerable and hence at higher risk of being abused, but few countries have explored the extent and nature of this phenomenon in national studies. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of observed and perpetrated staff-to-resident abuse in Norwegian nursing homes. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional exploratory study of nursing staff in 100 randomly drawn Norwegian nursing homes. Nursing staff completed a pen and paper survey measuring how often during the past year they had observed staff commit acts of neglect and psychological, physical, financial/material, and sexual abuse towards residents. They also reported how often they had perpetrated acts of abuse themselves, and these rates were disaggregated by nursing staff's gender, age and education. Results: Of 3693 nursing staff (response rate 60.1%), 76% had observed one or more incidents of elder abuse during the past year, and 60.3% reported they had perpetrated one or more incidents of abuse in the same period. Psychological abuse and neglect were most commonly reported. Male staff reported more acts of physical abuse, while female staff reported more acts of neglect. Higher education of staff was associated with higher rates of selfreported psychological abuse, physical abuse and neglect. Conclusions: This first national survey of staff in Norwegian nursing homes is one of the largest studies globally estimating the prevalence of elder abuse in institutional settings. Overall, we found staff-to-resident abuse to be relatively common, and our findings propose a need for preventive strategies to improve the quality of life and safety of residents in Norwegian nursing homes.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elder abuse in Norwegian nursing homes: a cross-sectional exploratory study

Botngård

Eide

Mosqueda

et al. 2020

BMC Health Serv Res

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“…To date, the phenomenon of SA in late life has received formal acknowledgment (Lea, Hunt, & Shaw, 2011; Ramsey-Klawsnik, Teaster, Mendiondo, Marcum, & Abner, 2008; Rosen, Lachs, & Pillemer, 2010). The existing literature on SAWLL can be mapped according to the following categories: setting (in the family or in institutions), timing (ongoing or beginning in old age), and the perpetrator(s): spouse; adult children or other family members, quasi-relatives, perpetrators who are known to the victim, and strangers (e.g., Baker, Sugar, & Eckert, 2009; Bows, 2017; Grant & Benedet, 2016; Lea et al, 2011); and staff and residents in an institutional context (e.g., Abner et al, 2016; D. Smith, Bugeja, Cunningham, & Ibrahim, 2017).…”

Section: Sawll: Emerging Pathsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Path 4, SAWLL in institutions beginning in old age, the two most commonly identified sexual abuse perpetrators are residents (e.g., Ramsey-Klawsnik et al, 2007; Ramsey-Klawsnik et al, 2008; D. Smith et al, 2017), as well as staff (e.g., direct care providers and janitors).…”

Section: Sawll: Emerging Pathsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Smith et al, 2017), as well as staff (e.g., direct care providers and janitors). These residents (e.g., Ramsey-Klawsnik et al, 2008; D. Smith et al, 2017) are characterized by disabilities, including psychiatric illness or dementia, which impair their ability to self-regulate; some have been prescribed medications that exacerbate impulse-control problems and increase libido; others have criminal histories including SA convictions (Bledsoe, 2006; Teaster et al, 2007).…”

Section: Sawll: Emerging Pathsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Breaking the Taboo: Sexual Assault in Late Life as a Multifaceted Phenomenon—Toward an Integrative Theoretical Framework

Band‐Winterstein

Goldblatt

Lev

2019

Trauma, Violence, & Abuse

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Sexual assault (SA) in late life has been receiving growing attention over the past two decades. It is directed primarily against older women and has been the least frequently reported form of abuse. Despite the growing awareness and body of knowledge on this phenomenon, the theoretical framework is still limited. Therefore, the aim of the present article is to suggest a theoretical conceptualization of the multifaceted phenomenon of sexual assault against women in late life (SAWLL). This conceptualization has been developed through several stages: (a) identification of three grounded fields of inquiry that are relevant to SAWLL: SA, elder mistreatment, and intimate partner violence; (b) classification of SAWLL along four paths: (1) ongoing SA in the context of lifelong IPV; (2) SA beginning in old age in the family within the community, involving spouses, family members, caregivers, dating mates, and so on; (3) ongoing SA, continuing in institutions, perpetrated by family members; and (4) SA in institutions, beginning in old age, relating to staff, residents, and family members; (c) We suggest three additional theoretical perspectives: trauma, a life-course perspective, and social constructionism, which provide further in-depth knowledge for understanding SAWLL. The combination of the three abovementioned stages composes an integrative theoretical framework, addressing SAWLL as a multifaceted phenomenon.

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