State of the science on prevention of elder abuse and lessons learned from child abuse and domestic violence prevention: Toward a conceptual framework for research

Abstract

The goal of this review is to discuss the state-of-the-science in elder abuse prevention. Findings from evidence-based programs to reduce elder abuse are discussed, drawing from findings and insights from evidence-based programs for child maltreatment and domestic/ intimate partner violence. A conceptual measurement model for the study of elder abuse is presented, and linked to possible measures of risk factors and outcomes. Advances in neuroscience in child maltreatment and novel measurement strategies for outcome assessment are presented.

Intimate Partner Violence in the Golden Age: Systematic Review of Risk and Protective Factors

“…This conceptual framework is mainly oriented to intervention and research-action; in this context, it is possible to find a phenomenological approach as well (e.g., Teaster et al, 2006 ; Bonomi et al, 2007 ; Band-Winterstein, 2012 , 2013 , 2015 ; Poole and Rietschlin, 2012 ; Eisikovits and Band-Winterstein, 2015 ). More recently, Teresi et al ( 2016 ) provide a conceptual framework to analyze elder abuse and IPV in late life. This complex ecological-cybernetical model includes stressful events (that produce symptoms); social structure and environment; presence or absence of primary and secondary prevention; psychological, social, and financial resources; and presence or absence of precipitating conditions (e.g., dementing illness and psychiatric or neurological diagnosis).…”

“…Another protective factor emerging from the literature (Yan, 2015 ) is the help-seeking behavior of elderly victims of abuse and IPV. A recent paper (Teresi et al, 2016 ) analyzes elder abuse and IPV in late life in association with research on child maltreatment and abuse. Based on their collected data from studies about IPV across the life span, the authors claim that some intervention strategies could also be protective for elder people, such as legal programs; medical interventions; social services; training in violence prevention, assertiveness, and resistance; and skill enhancement and practice (even if these interventions are provided for children).…”

“…This way, interventions in protection from violence since childhood can be interpreted as a protective factor for IPV in late life. Generally speaking, self-esteem and coping strategies, supported by knowledge and life skills, can be targeted to develop interventions and change models (Teresi et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Among those, 30 papers included the analysis of risk factors, while only eight included the analysis of protective factors. Considering that six papers included both risk and protective factors (Gil et al, 2015 ; Guedes et al, 2015 ; Yan, 2015 ; Roh et al, 2016 ; Souto et al, 2016 ; Teresi et al, 2016 ), the papers dealing with risk and protective factors that were included in this systematic review totaled 32.…”

Educational Programs Development, Using Intervention Mapping Protocol and Kern Model in Primary Health Care Setting to Prevent Elders Abuse: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study.

“…Attempts to apply behavioral theory to family conflicts dates back to 1960s (19) and the design of intervention programs began in the late 20th century (20). There is a strong evidence that sociallearning-based educations as either: primary, secondary, or tertiary interventions (21) are effective by using multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches (22) with a wide range of family problems including socio-economic, ethnic backgrounds, and the cultural practice impact (23,24).…”