Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Are Transition Houses Equipped to Meet the Needs of Women in Midlife and Older?

  • INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE RESEARCH
  • Published:
Journal of Family Violence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study addresses the extent to which transition houses, defined as residential facilities for abused women and children, meet the needs of women in midlife and older. Seventeen transition house directors completed an on-line survey and eight participated in an interview. Women in midlife and older comprised 28 % of the transition house population. Thematic analysis resulted in the identification of three key themes: life at home and in the community, living in the transition house, and starting a new life. While policies, accessibility, privacy, support and outreach could be improved, the transition houses offered safety and security for women across the lifespan. Recommendations for research, policy and practice are included to ensure that transition houses offer a welcoming, suitable, and supportive environment for women in midlife and older.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, K. R., Blieszner, R., & Roberto, K. A. (2000). Families in the middle and later years: a review and critique of research in the 1990s. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 62(4), 911–926.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaulaurier, R. L., Seff, L. R., Newman, F. L., & Dunlop, B. (2007). External barriers to help seeking for older women who experience intimate partner violence. Journal of Family Violence, 22, 747–755. doi:10.1007/s10896-007-9122-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaulaurier, R. L., Seff, L. R., Newman, F. L., & Dunlop, B. (2005). Internal barriers to help seeking for middle-aged and older women who experience intimate partner violence. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 17(3), 53–74. doi:10.1007/s10896-007-9122y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaulaurier, R. L., Seff, L. R., & Newman, F. L. (2008). Barriers to help-seeking for older women who experience intimate partner violence: a descriptive model. Journal of Women & Aging, 20(3/4), 231–248. doi:10.1080/08952840801984543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonomi, A. E., Anderson, M. L., Reid, R. J., Carrell, D., Fishman, P. A., Rivara, F. P., et al. (2007). Intimate partner violence in older women. The Gerontologist, 47(1), 34–41. doi:10.1093/geront/47.1.34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brandl, B. (2000). Power and control: understanding domestic abuse in later life. Generations, 25(2), 39–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandl, B., Hebert, M., Rozwadowski, J., & Spangler, D. (2003). Feeling safe, feeling strong: support groups for older abused women. Violence Against Women, 9(12), 1490–1503. doi:10.1177/1077801203259288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buchbinder, E., & Winterstein, T. (2003). “Like a wounded bird”: older battered women’s life experiences with intimate violence. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 15(2), 23–44. doi:10.1300/J084v15n02_02.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, M., & Taylor-Butts, A. (2009). A profile of Canada’s shelters for abused woman. Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile (85-224-X). Ottawa: Statistics Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2000). Research methods in education (5th ed.). London: Routledge Falmer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W., & Tashakkori, A. (2007). Editorial: differing perspectives on mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(4), 303–308. doi:10.1177/1558689807306132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crichton, S. J., Bond, J. B., Harvey, C. D. H., & Ristock, J. (1999). Elder abuse: feminist and ageist perspectives. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 10(3/4), 115–130. doi:10.1300/J084v10n03_06.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunlop, B. D., Beaulaurier, R. L., Seff, L. R., Newman, F. L., Malik, N., & Fuster, M. (2005). Domestic violence against older women: Final Technical Report. U.S. Department of Justice.

  • Fisher, B., Zink, T., Rinto, B., Regan, S., Pabst, S., & Gothelf, E. (2003). Overlooked issues during the golden years: domestic violence and intimate partner violence against older women. Violence Against Women, 9(12), 1409–1416. doi:10.1177/1077801203259230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grunfeld, A. F., Larsson, D. M., MacKay, K., & Hotch, D. (1996). Domestic violence against elderly women. Canadian Family Physician, 42, 1485–1493.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hightower, J., Smith, M. J. G., & Hightower, H. C. (2006). Hearing the voices of abused older women. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 46(3/4), 205–227. doi:10.1300/J083v46n03_12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hightower, J., Smith, M. J., Ward-Hall, C. A., & Hightower, H. C. (2000). Meeting the needs of abused older women? A British Columbia and Yukon transition house survey. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 11(4), 39–57. doi:10.1300/J084v11n04_04.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Janovicek, N. (2007). No place to go: Local histories of battered women’s shelter movement. Vancouver: UBC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kincheleo, J., & McLaren, P. (1994). Rethinking critical theory and qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 138–157). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leisey, M., Kupstas, P. K., & Cooper, A. (2009). Domestic violence in the second half of life. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 21, 141–155. doi:10.1080/08946560902779951.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lev-Wiesel, R., & Kleinberg, B. (2002). Elderly battered wives’ perceptions of the spousal relationship as reflected in the drawings of the couple. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 29, 13–17. doi:10.1016/S0197-4556(01)00122-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundy, M., & Grossman, S. F. (2009). Domestic violence service users: a comparison of older and younger women. Journal of Family Violence, 24, 297–309. doi:10.1007/s10896-009-9230-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martel, L., & Malenfant, E. C. (2008). 2006 census: Portrait of the Canadian population in 2006, by age and sex: Provincial/territorial populations by age and sex. (97-551-XWE200601). Ottawa: Statistics Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mears, J. (2003). Survival is not enough: violence against older women in Australia. Violence Against Women, 9(12), 1478–1489. doi:10.1177/1077801203259287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mears, J., & Visher, C. A. (2005). Trends in understanding and addressing domestic violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20(2), 204–211. doi:10.1177/0886260504267739.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Montminy, L. (2005). Older women’s experiences of psychological violence in their marital relationships. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 46(2), 3–22. doi:10.1300/J083v46n02•02.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mouton, C. P., Rodabough, R. J., Rovi, S. L., Hunt, J. L., Talamantes, M. A., Brzyski, R. G., et al. (2004). Prevalence and 3-year incidence of abuse among postmenopausal women. American Journal of Public Health, 94(4), 605–612.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ockleford, E., Barnes-Holmes, Y., Morichelli, R., Morjaria, A., Scocchera, F., & Furniss, F. (2003). Mistreatment of older women in three European countries. Violence Against Women, 9(12), 1453–1464. doi:10.1177/1077801203259236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Penhale, B. (2003). Older women, domestic violence, and elder abuse: a review of commonalities, differences and shared approaches. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 15(3/4), 163–180. doi:10.1300/J084v15n03_10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rennison, C. (2001). Intimate partner violence and age of victim, 1993–1999. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report (NCJ 187635). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rennison, C., & Rand, M. R. (2003). Nonlethal intimate partner violence against women: a comparison of three age cohorts. Violence Against Women, 9(12), 1417–1428. doi:10.1177/1077801203259232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samantaraya-Shivji, L., & Habafy, N. (2007). Older women’s long-term survival program: Resisting a lifetime of abuse. Calgary: Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandelowski, M. (2000). Combining qualitative and quantitative sampling, data collection, and analysis techniques in mixed-method studies. Research in Nursing and Health, 23(3), 246–255. doi:10.1002/1098-240X(200006)23:3<246::AID-NUR9>3.0.CO;2-H.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seaver, C. (1996). Muted lives: older battered women. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 8(2), 3–21. doi:10.1300/J084v08n02_02.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seff, L. R., Beaulaurier, R. L., & Newman, F. L. (2008). Nonphysical abuse: findings in Domestic Violence Against Older Women Study. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 8(3), 355–374. doi:10.1080/10926790802278933.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Statistics Canada (2009). Family violence in Canada: A statistical profile. (85-224-X) Ottawa, ON: Author.

  • Stiles, W. (1999). Evaluating qualitative research. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 2, 99–101. doi:10.1136/ebmh.2.4.99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straka, S. M., & Montminy, L. (2006). Responding to the needs of older women experiencing domestic violence. Violence Against Women, 12(3), 251–267. doi:10.1177/1077801206286221.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Teaster, P. B., Roberto, K. A., & Dugar, T. A. (2006). Intimate partner violence of rural aging women. Family Relations, 55, 636–648. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2006.00432.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vinton, L. (2003). A model collaborative project toward making domestic violence centers elder ready. Violence Against Women, 9(12), 1504–1513. doi:10.1177/1077801203259289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vinton, L. (1992). Battered women’s shelters and older women: the Florida experience. Journal of Family Violence, 7(1), 63–72. doi:10.1007/BF00978725.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vinton, L. (1998). A nationwide survey of domestic violence shelters’ programming for older women. Violence Against Women, 4(5), 559–571. doi:10.1177/1077801298004005003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vinton, L. (1999). Working with abused older women from a feminist perspective. Journal of Women & Aging, 11(2/3), 85–100. doi:10.1300/J074v11n02_07.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vinton, L., Altholz, J. A., & Lobell, T. (1997). A five-year follow up study of domestic violence programming for battered older women. Journal of Women & Aging, 9(1/2), 3–15. doi:10.1300/J074v09n01_02.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weeks, L. E., & LeBlanc, K. (2011). An ecological synthesis of research on older women’s experiences of intimate partner violence. Journal of Women & Aging, 23(4), 283–304. doi:10.1080/08952841.2011.611043.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weeks, L. E., Richards, J. L., Nilsson, T., Kozma, A., & Bryanton, O. (2004). A gendered analysis of the abuse of older adults: evidence from professionals. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 16(2), 1–13. doi:10.1300/J084v16n02_01.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, T. (1995). Violence, gender and elder abuse: towards a feminist analysis and practice. Journal of Gender Studies, 4(1), 35–45. doi:10.1080/09589236.1995.9960591.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilke, D. J., & Vinton, L. (2005). The nature and impact of domestic violence across age cohorts. Affilia, 20(3), 316–328. doi:10.1177/0886109905277751.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winterstein, T., & Eisikovits, Z. (2005). The experience of loneliness of battered old women. Journal of Women & Aging, 17(4), 3–19. doi:10.1300/J074v17n04_02.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yodanis, C. L. (2004). Gender inequality, violence against women, and fear. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19(6), 655–675. doi:10.1177/0886260504263868.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zink, T., Fisher, B. S., Regan, S., & Pabst, A. (2005). The prevalence and incidence of intimate partner violence in older women in primary care practices. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 20(10), 884–888. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0191.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zink, T., Jacobson, C. J., Regan, S., Fisher, B., & Pabst, S. (2006). Older women’s descriptions and understandings of their abusers. Violence Against Women, 12(9), 851–864. doi:10.1177/1077801206292680.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zink, T., Jacobson, C. J., Jr., Regan, S., & Pabst, S. (2004). Hidden victims: the healthcare needs and experiences of older women in abusive relationships. Journal of Women's Health, 13(8), 898–908.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zink, T., Regan, S., Jacobson, C. J., & Pabst, S. (2003). Cohort, period, and aging effects: a qualitative study of older women’s reasons for remaining in abusive relationships. Violence Against Women, 9(12), 1429–1441. doi:10.1177/1077801203259231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beausejour Family Crisis Resource Centre, Shediac, New Brunswick, Canada

    Kristal D. LeBlanc

  2. Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI, C1 A 4P3, Canada

    Lori E. Weeks

Authors
  1. Kristal D. LeBlanc
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lori E. Weeks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lori E. Weeks.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

LeBlanc, K.D., Weeks, L.E. Are Transition Houses Equipped to Meet the Needs of Women in Midlife and Older?. J Fam Viol 28, 535–545 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-013-9525-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-013-9525-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation