Discovering what works for families Elder Abuse National Research Lixia Qu, Rachel Carson & David O Keeffe FRSA conference, 23 November 2017
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and may not reflect the views of the or the Australian Government.
Presentation overview 1. Brief summary of the AIFS Elder Abuse Prevalence Scoping Study. 2. Elder Abuse National Research - Stage One. This research builds on previous research including: Elder Abuse: Understanding issues, frameworks and responses. Kaspiew, Carson and Rhoades, (2016). Melbourne: AIFS.
AIFS Scoping Study 2017 (1) Aim: Methodology options for further research on the prevalence and nature of elder abuse in Australia The scoping study report outlined: considerations for achieving a national definition; Assessment of potentials and limitations of existing data sets and ongoing studies for elder abuse research; options for sampling and data collection strategies for a national Australian prevalence study; and Considerations for further targeted research.
AIFS Scoping Study 2017 (2) Scoping study informed by: review of relevant Australian and international research relating to prevalence of elder abuse; review of existing data sets and ongoing studies; and consultations with a wide range of government and non-government stakeholders: meetings (in person or by teleconference); and stakeholder survey (n= 89).
AIFS Scoping Study 2017 (3) Stakeholder survey instrument included questions about: elements of definition of elder abuse; data collection re incidence of elder abuse; client bases; risks and factors contributing to and protecting against elder abuse; effective engagement with older people and key measures to address prevention of elder abuse.
Options for research outlined in the Scoping Study (1) 1. Exploratory qualitative research for development and refinement of measures for elder abuse that may be applied in a national prevalence study and future studies/surveys with an elder abuse component and to facilitate consistent data collection. 2. Systematic review of existing data sets and ongoing studies.
Options for research outlined in the Scoping Study (2) 3. Options for conduct of a national Australian Prevalence Study. 4. Options for further targeted research with hard-toreach groups including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, older people with reduced cognitive capacity and in isolated settings more generally.
Elder Abuse National Research Stage One The project is a collaborative project involving AIFS and three other organisations, these are: National Ageing Research Institute (NARI); Social Research Centre (SRC); and Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC). AIFS is coordinating the research, with each organisation responsible for the conduct of one of the three components of the project.
Outline of the Elder Abuse National Research Project A multi-component research project that will strengthen the evidence base and provide the foundation of a national research agenda on elder abuse: The development of a rigorous definition The development of instruments for assessing the prevalence and nature of elder abuse Analysis of existing ABS datasets to assess existing evidence about the prevalence and nature of elder abuse
Outline of the components (1) Component 1: a consultative process with key stakeholders to develop an Australian definition (facilitating workshops & focus groups). AIFS and NARI will coordinate and conduct this component.
Definitions used in international contexts The World Health Organisation A single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person [author emphasis] Action of Elder Abuse (AEA) UK Any act occurring within a relationship where there is an implication of trust, which results in harm to an older person. Abuse may be physical, sexual, financial, psychological, social and/or neglect [author emphasis] The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention An intentional act or failure to act by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult (defined as someone aged 60 or older).
Issues relating to the development of a definition The person who experiences the behaviour The use of the term elder Age The act or omission Physical abuse, Sexual abuse Psychological or emotional abuse Financial abuse Neglect Other: isolation, prevention of access to culture or religion The person who engages in the behaviour (the actor) Situational pre-conditions A relationship of trust: expectation or implication of trust Consequences Physical harm, Emotional harm Economic harm Social harm
The prevalence of elder abuse in international studies Canada 2015 Ireland 2010 UK 2006 Portugal 2012 Domain of elder abuse and negative: Prevalence (12 months) USA 2008 Spain 2006 USA 2005 06 Israel 2004 05 New York 2008 Neglect 1.2% 0.3% 1.1% 0.4% 5.1% 0.3% 1.8% 9% (verbal) 1.2% Psychological 2.7% 1.2% 0.4% 6.3% 4.6% 0.3% Physical 2.2% 0.5% 0.4% 2.3% 1.6% 0.2% 0.2% 2.2% (incl. sexual abuse) Financial 2.6% 1.3% 0.7% 6.3% 5.2% 0.2% 3.5% 4.2% Sexual 1.6% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.6% 0.1% At least one form 8.2% 2.2% 2.6% 12.3% or 15% a 10.0% 0.8% 18.4% b 7.6% a 15%, if abuse perpetrated by strangers was included; b Includes limitation of freedom
Outline of the components (2) Component 2: the development of instruments to measure elder abuse against the proposed definition an Older Australians Questionnaire; a General Community Questionnaire; and a Service Providers Questionnaire. The development of these instruments will include formative qualitative research (including focus groups), cognitive testing, scale development/item reduction.
What s next? The project is awaiting ethical approval so we are currently promoting the project. Once ethics has been obtained we shall start the recruitment process. If you are interested in this project please go to our website: www.aifs.gov.au/eanr Or email: eanr@aifs.gov.au
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