Do incident and perpetrator characteristics of elder mistreatment differ by gender of the victim? Results from the National Elder Mistreatment Study

Abstract

Perpetrator and incident characteristics were studied in regard to incidents of emotional, physical, and sexual mistreatment of older adults (age 60+) in a national sample of older men and women. Random digit dialing across geographic strata was used to compile a nationally representative sample; computer assisted telephone interviewing was used to standardize collection of demographic, mistreatment, and perpetrator and incident characteristics data. The final sample size consisted of 5,777 older adults. Approximately one in ten adults reported at least one form of mistreatment, and the majority of incidents were not reported to authorities. Perpetrators of physical mistreatment against men had more "pathological" characteristics compared to perpetrators of physical mistreatment against women. Perpetrators of physical mistreatment (compared to emotional and sexual mistreatment) also evidenced increased likelihood of legal problems, psychological treatment, substance use during incident, living with the victim, and being related to the victim. Implications for future research and social policy are discussed.

Figure 1. Perpetrator and Incident Characteristics of Emotional Mistreatment by Victim Gender

Perpetrator characteristics as reported by victims of past-year elder emotional mistreatment by gender. Characteristics include: victim being dependent on perpetrator for daily care, perpetrator providing daily instrumental help, perpetrator having fewer than 3 friends, perpetrator being unemployed, perpetrator having previous problems with the police, perpetrator having sought counseling, perpetrator having substance use problems, perpetrator living with the victim at the time of mistreatment, perpetrator being a spouse or family member of the victim, and victim reporting mistreatment to police/authorities. Note: Valid percentages are reported.

Figure 2. Perpetrator and Incident Characteristics of Physical Mistreatment by Victim Gender

Perpetrator characteristics as reported by victims of past-year elder physical mistreatment by gender. Characteristics include: victim being dependent on perpetrator for daily care, perpetrator providing daily instrumental help, perpetrator having fewer than 3 friends, perpetrator being unemployed, perpetrator having previous problems with the police, perpetrator having sought counseling, perpetrator having substance use problems, perpetrator living with the victim at the time of mistreatment, perpetrator being a spouse or family member of the victim, and victim reporting mistreatment to police/authorities. Note: Valid percentages are reported.

Figure 3. Perpetrator and Incident Characteristics of Sexual Mistreatment by Victim Gender

Perpetrator characteristics as reported by victims of past-year elder sexual mistreatment by gender. Characteristics include: victim being dependent on perpetrator for daily care, perpetrator providing daily instrumental help, perpetrator having fewer than 3 friends, perpetrator being unemployed, perpetrator having previous problems with the police, perpetrator having sought counseling, perpetrator having substance use problems, perpetrator living with the victim at the time of mistreatment, perpetrator being a spouse or family member of the victim, and victim reporting mistreatment to police/authorities. Note: Valid percentages are reported.