Experience of elder abuse among older Korean immigrants

Abstract

Studies on the scope and nature of Asian American elder abuse conducted with older immigrants are extremely limited. The overall purpose of this study was to examine the extent and type of elder abuse among older Korean immigrants, and to investigate critical predictors of elder abuse in this population. The sample consisted of 200 older Korean immigrants aged 60 to 90 years who resided in Los Angeles County in 2008. One of the key findings indicated that 58.3% of respondents experienced one or more types of elder abuse. Logistic regression indicated that the victims' health status and educational level were statistically significant predictors of the likelihood of experiencing abuse. The present study, although limited in sample size, measures, sampling methods, and population representation, has contributed to this important area of knowledge. It is recommended that future studies conduct research on elder abuse with more representative national samples that can measure the extent of abuse and neglect more accurately.

Comparative Study on Subjective Experience of Elder Abuse Between Older Korean Immigrants in the United States and Older Koreans in Korea

“…Several research findings suggest the impact of educational attainment on elder abuse. Lower educational attainments for both older Korean immigrants in the United States and older Koreans in Korea have consistently been reported as a high-risk factor for elder abuse (Chang, 2016; Oh et al., 2006). For example, older Korean immigrants in the United States with high educational attainment were less likely to be abused (the odds of abuse decreased by 31%) than those with lower level of education (Chang, 2016).…”

“…An earlier study of Korean Americans in Los Angeles found that types of abuse experienced by elderly Koreans break down to be as follows: 36% financial abuse, 24% psychological abuse, 17% culturally specific abuse (e.g., an adult son and his wife who did not want to live with his parents, lack of contact with adult children, and placing frail older adults in a nursing home), 15% for neglect, 4% for physical abuse, and 4% for other forms (Chang & Moon, 1997). Specifically, Chang (2016) reported that 58% of older Korean immigrants in California experienced abuse in 2008. This study reported that emotional abuse was the most frequent type of abuse, followed by financial abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.…”

“…(2006) found that older Korean women reported a higher prevalence of all types of abuse than their male counterparts. Another study of older Korean immigrants in the United States reported older men experienced a higher prevalence of most types of abuse than older women (Chang, 2016).…”

“…Several studies have shown that poor health status and functional limitation make older Koreans vulnerable to elder abuse (Chang, 2016; Chokkanathan & Lee, 2006; Sasaki et al., 2007; Wang, 2006). For example, Chang (2006) reported that those with poor health status were over six times more likely to have experienced elder abuse than those who had good health status.…”

“…Studies on the impact of economic status on elder abuse reported mixed findings. However, many studies of older Asian populations, including Chinese, India, Korean, and Korean immigrants, found that those with lower income status and economic dependence on family members are more vulnerable to abuse than those who do not have such economic status (Chang, 2016; Dong & Simon, 2013b; Dong, Simon, & Gorbien, 2007; Oh et al., 2006; Sebastain & Sekher, 2011). For example, Dong et al.…”