Search results for ‘Subject term:"elder abuse"’ Sort:
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Conceptual model and map of psychological abuse of older adults
- Authors:
- CONRAD Kendon J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 23(2), April 2011, pp.147-168.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Psychological abuse of older adults is a hidden and pervasive problem that includes verbal insults and threats, treating the older person like an infant, and isolating them from friends and family. Psychological abuse of older adults is currently not well conceptualised or well measured. The goal of this project was to conceptualise psychological abuse using 3-dimensional concept maps, and to use the concepts generated in this process to develop a theory that could guide measure development for screening and outcome assessment. Panels of local and national experts in the field of elder abuse and neglect and aging were brought together to generate 56 descriptive statements defining psychological abuse. These statements were sorted and rated using Concept Systems software whereby the concepts were depicted as a map. The concept map was comprised of 5 distinct clusters: isolation; insensitivity and disrespect; shaming and blaming; threats and intimidation; and trusted other risk factors. The concept maps guided development of theoretical hierarchies of psychological abuse that should help improve understanding of this type of elder abuse.
Self-report measure of financial exploitation of older adults
- Authors:
- CONRAD Kendon J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 50(6), December 2010, pp.758-773.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study was designed to improve the measurement of financial exploitation by testing psychometric properties of the older adult financial exploitation measure (OAFEM), a client self-report instrument. Rasch item response theory and traditional validation approaches were used. Questionnaires were administered by 22 adult protective services investigators from 7 agencies in Illinois to 227 substantiated abuse clients. Analyses included tests for dimensionality, model fit, and additional construct validation. Results from the OAFEM were also compared with the substantiation decision of abuse and with investigators’ assessments of financial exploitation using a staff report version. Hypotheses were generated to test hypothesised relationships. The results demonstrated that the OAFEM, including the original 79-, 54-, and 30-item measures, met stringent Rasch analysis fit and unidimensionality criteria and had high internal consistency and item reliability. The validation results were supportive, while leading to reconsideration of aspects of the hypothesised theoretical hierarchy. Thresholds were suggested to demonstrate levels of severity. The article concludes that the measure should help in the assessment of financial exploitation of older adults by both clinicians and researchers.
Balancing practicality and validity of elder abuse identification measures: using data from adult protective services investigations
- Authors:
- CONRAD Kendon J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 33(1), 2021, pp.47-64.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Background and Objectives. In testing a comprehensive decision support system for Adult Protective Services (APS), this study addressed two problems common in APS research and practice: the psychometric quality of the measures and measurement burden. Research Design and Methods. Data were generated on 1,472 APS cases over six months in two California counties using the Identification, Services and Outcomes (ISO) Matrix, a comprehensive decision support system for APS. The ISO Matrix uses Short-Forms developed from the Elder Abuse Decision Support System (EADSS). Mini-Forms were developed from the Short-Forms and tested in order to reduce measurement burden. Mini-Forms were developed on each measure using sensitivity and specificity of the items in predicting the criterion of substantiation (yes/no). Psychometric quality was addressed by estimating predictive validity and Cronbach’s alpha of Short-Forms. Predictive validity and reliability were also estimated on the Mini-Forms as was their correlation with the Short-Forms. Results. On Short-Forms, good predictive validity was found for all measures except those that were very rare. Results for even shorter Mini-Forms were mixed, and some will require further research on their reliability and validity. Discussion and Implications. Short-Forms had good psychometric properties and some Mini-Forms did as well. Ongoing adoption by several California counties and Montana demonstrates the viability and sustainability of using the ISO Matrix for research and practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
Self-report measure of psychological abuse of older adults
- Authors:
- CONRAD Kendon J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 51(3), June 2011, pp.354-366.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The purpose of this study was to develop and test the 31 item Older Adult Psychological Abuse Measure, one scale of the Older Adult Mistreatment Assessment, an elder abuse assessment procedure. Recruitment for the study was from 7 adult protective services agencies in Chicago and surrounding counties. 22 experienced elder abuse staff members were recruited and trained in interviewing for the study; they then recruited and screened 226 clients, administered the client self-report measures through interviews in the home, and completed staff observation questionnaires for each of the clients. The data collected was used to estimate the psychometric properties of the Older Adult Psychological Abuse Measure, which covered all types of psychological abuse (isolation, threats and intimidation, insensitivity and disrespect, and shaming and blaming). This article describes the study methodology and the statistical analysis. It reports that the results supported the validity of using the measure in helping to assess the existence and level of psychological abuse of older adults who were able to self-report, and notes that the measure is now available to help in the assessment of psychological abuse of older adults.
Examining the role of substance abuse in elder mistreatment: results from mistreatment investigations
- Authors:
- CONRAD Kendon J., LIU Pi-Ju, IRIS Madelyn
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 34(2), 2019, p.366–391.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Substance abuse has long been identified as a risk factor for elder mistreatment, yet research on the topic remains sparse. This study tested hypotheses whether perpetrator and victim substance use problems were associated with financial exploitation, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect versus no abuse. Cross-sectional data were collected on 948 cases with yes/no substantiation decisions where 357 cases had no abuse in elder mistreatment investigations. Hypotheses were tested using odds ratios, bivariate, and multiple linear regression analyses including a control for victim vulnerability. Of 948 alleged victims, 42 (4.4%) exhibited signs of substance use problems. Among the 323 alleged perpetrators, 87 (26.9%) were reported to have substance use problems. Substance use problems by alleged perpetrators were associated (p < .01) with financial exploitation, physical abuse, and emotional abuse but not neglect. Substance use problems by alleged victims were associated with neglect, but not the other types. Alleged perpetrators with substance use problems tended to commit multiple forms of abuse, were male and not caregivers. Except for the findings on neglect, the associations with elder mistreatment were stronger for alleged perpetrators with substance use problems, than for alleged victims. Clarification of the role of perpetrator risk factors such as substance abuse should improve risk identification and subsequent intervention. (Edited publisher abstract)
Elder Abuse Decision Support System: field test outcomes, abuse measure validation, and lessons learned
- Authors:
- CONRAD Kendon J., IRIS Madelyn, LUI Pi-Ju
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 29(2-3), 2017, pp.134-156.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The Elder Abuse Decision Support System was designed to meet the critical need for improved methods for assessment and substantiation of elder mistreatment, using a web-based system with standardised measures. Six Illinois agencies participated in the field test. One-year pre/post analyses assessed substantiation results, using Illinois’ standard investigation procedure as a comparison. Pre/post acceptability was assessed with caseworkers in focus groups with adult protective service staff. Validity of measures was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and receiver operator characteristic curve analyses with final substantiation decision as a criterion. Increased substantiation of abuse was found. Regarding acceptability, the two systems were found to have differing strengths and weaknesses. Outcome measures had high validity estimates, while focus groups indicated directions for improvement. This study was a successful proof of concept that data collected in the field would be useful for clinical purposes as well as for research.