The consideration of cultural factors in the research of elder mistreatment with an in-depth look at the Japanese

Abstract

Within the context of elder mistreatment, little attention has been paid to ethnicity and cultural factors as independent or causal variables. Focusing on the Japanese as an example, this paper explores cultural factors that may be associated with family conflict and elder mistreatment, including the use of silence as an extreme form of punishment. Also explored are the interrelationships of dependency (amae), holding back (enryo), and being in the way (jama); of social obligation (giri), personal indebtedness (on), and natural feelings or desires (ninjo); and of filial piety and casting away the elder (obasute). Currently-used research and detection protocols will not identify elder mistreatment among the Japanese unless they are modified. This paper provides suggestions for these modifications, as well as suggestions for practitioners who may treat Asian victims of elder mistreatment.