Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Why More Pilot Studies of Elder Mistreatment Are Necessary

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
International Handbook of Elder Abuse and Mistreatment

  • 996 Accesses

Abstract

Prevalence studies tend to be the main platforms for policy, practice, and research progress, both nationally and internationally, it is important that prevalence studies be carefully crafted to provide the very best evidence possible to end mistreatment. The aim of the research here is to report the data from the pilot study that was a precursor to the National Survey on the Mistreatment of Older Canadians (NSMOC) in 2015 (n = 8,100). The pilot study adopted a different perspective than most studies on the prevalence of elder abuse and neglect, which raised a number of interesting methodological issues about past and future prevalence studies. The study is one of the first to use a life course perspective as a guiding framework. The aim of this chapter was to describe the pilot study that focused on the validation of the community survey instrument for the national Canadian study on elder mistreatment and highlight the lessons learned. The known group approach indicated the conflict tactics scale used by most researchers is moderately valid and that there is a large gap between this measure and whether older adults actually felt they had been mistreated.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Here, ‘mistreatment’ is used to refer to all forms of abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, and financial) and neglect; ‘abuse’ is used to refer to all forms of abuse, excluding neglect; ‘interpersonal abuse’ is used to collectively describe physical, psychological, and sexual abuse (Biggs et al. 2009a, b).

  2. 2.

    An overview of the main characteristics of the prevalence mistreatment studies can be found at Dong (2015), McDonald (2011), and Pillemer et al. (2016).

  3. 3.

    The development of the measures and tests of construct validity are reported elsewhere (NICE 2012).

  4. 4.

    Analyses of the risk factors are not reported here due to space limitations.

  5. 5.

    Visible minorities included four First Nations, four blacks, four “other,” three Metis, two South Asians, one Chinese, one Southeast Asian, one Japanese, and one Arab.

References

  • Acierno, R., M.A. Hernandez, A.B. Amstadter, H.S. Resnick, K. Steve, W. Muzzy, and D.G. Kilpatrick. 2010. Prevalence and correlates of emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse and potential neglect in the United States: The National Elder Mistreatment Study. Journal of Public Health 100 (2): 292–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amstadter, A.B., K. Zajac, M. Strachan, M.A. Hernandez, D.G. Kilpatrick, and R. Acierno. 2011. Prevalence and correlates of elder mistreatment in South Carolina: The South Carolina elder mistreatment study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 26: 2947–2972.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arain, M., M.J. Campbell, C.L. Cooper, and G.A. Lancaster. 2010. What is a pilot or feasibility study? A review of current practice and editorial policy. BMC Medical Research Methodology 10 (67): 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, M.W., A.Z. LaCroix, C. Wu, B.B. Cochrane, R. Wallace, and N.F. Woods. 2009. Mortality risk associated with physical and verbal abuse in women aged 50 to 79. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 57 (10): 1799–1809.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beach, S.R., R. Schulz, G.M. Williamson, L.S. Miller, M.F. Weiner, and C.E. Lance. 2005. Risk factors for potentially harmful informal caregiver behavior. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 53 (2): 255–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biggs, S., B. Erens, M. Doyle, J. Hall, and M. Sanchez. 2009a. Abuse and neglect of older people: Secondary analysis of UK prevalence study. London, UK: King’s College London and the National Centre for Social Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biggs, S., J. Manthrope, A. Tinker, M. Doyle, and B. Erens. 2009b. Mistreatment of older people in the United Kingdom: Findings from the first national prevalence study. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect 21: 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnes, D., K. Pillemer, P.L. Caccamise, A. Mason, C.R. Henderson, J. Berman, A.M. Cook, D. Shukoff, P. Brownell, M. Powell, A. Salamone, and M.S. Lachs. 2015. Prevalence of and risk factors for elder abuse and neglect in the community: A population-based study. Journal of the American Geriatric Society (JAGS). https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.13601.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnes, D, K. Pillemer, and M.S. Lachs. 2016. Elder abuse severity: A critical but understudied dimension of victimization for clinicians and researchers. The Gerontologist 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnv688. (Advance Online Publication).

  • Chokkanathan, S., and A.E. Lee. 2005. Elder mistreatment in urban India: A community based study. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect 17 (2): 45–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, C., M. Manela, C. Katona, and G. Livingston. 2008a. Screening for elder abuse in dementia in the LASER-AD study: Prevalence, correlates and validation of instruments. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 23 (3): 283–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, C., A. Selwood, and G. Livingston. 2008b. The prevalence of elder abuse and neglect: A systematic review. Age and Ageing 37 (2): 151–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. 2012. http://www.clsa-elcv.ca/.

  • Daly, J.M., M.L. Merchant, and G.J. Jogerst. 2011. Elder abuse research: A systematic review. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect 23 (4): 348–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Donder, L., G. Lang, M.L. Luoma, B.A. Penhale, J.P. Alves, I. Tamutiene, A.J. Santos, M. Koivusilta, E. Enzenhofer, S. Perttu, T. Savola, and D. Verté. 2011. Perpetrators of abuse against older women: A multi-national study in Europe. The Journal of Adult Protection 13 (6): 302–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Donder, L., G. Lang, B. Penhale, J. Ferreira-Alves, I. Tamutiene, D. Verté, and M.L. Luoma. 2013. Item non-response when measuring elder abuse: Influence of methodological choices. The European Journal of Public Health 23 (6): 1021–1026.

    Google Scholar 

  • DMEA Research Team. 2011a. Validation of Measurement Instruments (Final Report for Project Three - Defining and Measuring Elder Abuse and Neglect: Preparatory Work Required to Measure the Prevalence of Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults in Canada). Toronto: University of Toronto, Institute for Life Course and Aging, NICE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong, X., M. Simon, C.M. de Leon, T. Fulmer, T. Beck, L. Hebert, C. Dyer, G. Paveza, and D. Evans. 2009. Elder self-neglect and abuse and mortality risk in a community-dwelling population. The Journal of the American Medical Association 302: 517–526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong, X.Q. 2014. Do the definitions of elder mistreatment subtypes matter? Findings from the PINE Study. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological and Medical Sciences 69 (Suppl. 2): S68–S75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong, X.Q. 2015. Elder abuse: Systematic review and implications for practice. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 63 (6): 1214–1238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dow, B., and M. Joosten. 2012. Understanding elder abuse: A social rights perspective. International Psychogeriatrics 24 (6): 853–855.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Göergen, T., and M. Beaulieu. 2013. Critical concepts in elder abuse research. International Psychogeriatrics 25: 1217–1228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gil, A.P.M., I. Kislaya, A.J. Santos, B. Nunes, R. Nicolau, and A.A. Fernandes. 2015. Elder abuse in Portugal: Findings from the first national prevalence study. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect 27 (3): 174–195. https://doi.org/10.1080/08946566.2014.953659.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giraldo-Rodríguez, L., and O. Rosas-Carrasco. 2013. Development and psychometric properties of the Geriatric Mistreatment Scale. Geriatrics & Gerontology International 13 (2): 466–474. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0594.2012.00894.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, S.B. 1996. For better or for worse: Spouse abuse grown old. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect 8 (1): 1–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iecovich, E., M. Lankri, and D. Drori. 2004. Elder abuse and neglect—A pilot incidence study in Israel. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect 16 (3): 45–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lachs, M.S., C. Williams, S. O’Brien, K.A. Pillemer, and M.E Charlson. 1998. The mortality of elder mistreatment. Journal of the American Medical Association 280: 428–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lachs, M., and K. Pillemer. 2015. Elder abuse. New England Journal of Medicine 373: 1947–1956.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, G., L. De Donder, B. Penhale, J. Ferreira-Alves, I. Tamutiene, and M.L. Luoma. 2014. Measuring older adults’ abuse: Evaluation of formative indicators to promote brevity. Educational Gerontology 40 (7): 531–542.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laumann, E.O., S.A. Leitsch, and L.J. Waite. 2008. Elder mistreatment in the United States: Prevalence estimates from a nationally representative study. The Journals of Gerontology 63 (4): S248–S254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawton, M.P., and E.M. Brody. 1969. Assessment of older people: Self-maintaining and instrumental activities of daily living. The Gerontologist 9 (3): 179–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc., Weill Cornell Medical Center of Cornell University, and New York City Department for the Aging. 2011. Under the Radar: New York State Elder Abuse Prevalence Study: Self-reported Prevalence and Documented Case Surveys. Final Report. New York: Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc., Weill Cornell Medical Center of Cornell University, and New York City Department for the Aging.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luoma, M.-L., M. Koivusilta, G. Lang, E. Enzenhofer, L. De Donder, D. Verté, J. Reingarde, J. Mayda, B. Magnus, J. Duggan, and A. Taylor-Butts. 2012. Feasibility study for a survey measuring abuse and neglect of older adults. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect 24 (2): 161–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/08946566.2011.646520.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayda, J., B. Magnus, J. Duggan, and A. Taylor-Butts. 2012. Feasibility study for a survey measuring abuse and neglect of older adults. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect 24 (2): 161–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/08946566.2011.646520.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, L. 2011. Elder abuse and neglect in Canada: The glass is still half full. Canadian Journal on Aging 30 (3): 1–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, L., A. Collins, and J. Dergal. 2006. The abuse and neglect of adults in Canada. In Cruel but not unusual, ed. R. Alaggia and C. Vine, 425–466. Waterloo, ON: Wilfred Laurier.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, L., and C. Thomas. 2013. Elder abuse through a life course lens. International Psychogeriatrics 25 (8): 1235–1243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Institutes for Health Research (2016). Guide to feasibility and pilot studies: A guide for NIHR research design services advisors.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Institute for Health Research. Glossary. http://www.nets.nihr.ac.uk/glossary.

  • Naughton, C., J. Drennan, M.P. Treacy, A. Lafferty, I. Lyons, A. Phelan, S. Quin, A. O’Loughlin, and L. Delaney. 2010. Abuse and neglect of older people in Ireland: A report on the national study of elder abuse and neglect. Dublin: National Centre for the Protection of Older People, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin.

    Google Scholar 

  • NICE. 2012. Defining and Measuring Elder Abuse and Neglect: Synthesis of Preparatory Work Required to Measure the Prevalence of Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults in Canada. Toronto: National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ockleford, E., Y. Barnes-Holmes, R. Morichelli, A. Morjaria, F. Scocchera, F. Furniss, C. Sdogati, and D. Barnes-Holmes. 2003. Mistreatment of older women in three European countries estimated prevalence and service responses. Violence Against Women 9 (12): 1453–1464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oh, J., H.S. Kim, D. Martins, and H. Kim. 2006. A study of elder abuse in Korea. International Journal of Nursing Studies 43 (2): 203–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Keefe, M., A. Hills, M. Doyle, C. McCreadie, S. Scholes, R. Constantine, A. Tinker, J. Manthorpe, S. Biggs, and B. Erens. 2007. UK study of abuse and neglect of older people: Prevalence survey report. London: National Centre for Social Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pillemer, K., D. Burnes, C. Riffin, and M.S. Lachs. 2016. Elder abuse: Global situation, risk factors and prevention strategies. The Gerontologist.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pillemer, K., M.T. Connolly, R. Breckman, R.N. Spreng, and M.S. Lachs. 2015. Elder mistreatment: Priorities for consideration by the White House Conference on Aging. The Gerontologist. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnu180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ploeg, J., J. Fear, B. Hutchison, H. MacMillan, and G. Bolan. 2009. A systematic review of interventions for elder abuse. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect 21 (3): 187–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schofield, M.J., J.R. Powers, and D. Loxton. 2013. Mortality and disability outcomes of self‐reported elder abuse: A 12-year prospective investigation. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 61 (5): 679–685. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.12212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soares, J., H. Barros, F. Torres-Gonzales, E. Ioannidi-Kapolou, G. Lamura, J. Lindert, J. de Dios Luna, G. Macassa, M.G. Melchiorre, and M. Stankūnas. 2010. Abuse and health in Europe. Kaunas: Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M.A. 1979. Measuring intra family conflict and violence: The Conflict Tactics (CT) Scales. Journal of Marriage and the Family 41 (1): 75–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M.A., S.L. Hamby, S. Boney-McCoy, and D.B. Sugarman. 1996. The revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-2). Journal of Family Issues 17: 283–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamutiene, I., J. Ferreira-Alves, A.J. Santos, and B. Penhale. 2011. Prevalence Study of Abuse and Violence Against Older Women. Results of a Multi-Cultural Survey in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Lithuania, and Portugal (European Report of the AVOW Project). Finland: National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

    Google Scholar 

  • Westat. 2011. Mental Health Treatment Study: Supplemental Appendices, MHTS Screener, Final Report. Baltimore: US Social Security Administration.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitehead, A.L., B.G. Sully, and M.J. Campbell. 2014. Pilot and feasibility studies: Is there a difference from each other and from a randomised controlled trial? Contemporary Clinical Trials 38 (1): 130–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, L., H. Chen, Y. Hu, H. Xiang, X. Yu, T. Zhang, Z. Cao, and Y. Wang. 2012. Prevalence and associated factors of elder mistreatment in a rural community in People’s Republic of China: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE 7: e33857. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0033857.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, E.C.-W., and C.S.-K. Tang. 2004. Elder abuse by caregivers: A study of prevalence and risk factors in Hong Kong Chinese families. Journal of Family Violence 19 (5): 269–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 246 Bloor Street W, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada

    Lynn McDonald

Authors
  1. Lynn McDonald
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lynn McDonald .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Mala Kapur Shankardass

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

McDonald, L. (2020). Why More Pilot Studies of Elder Mistreatment Are Necessary. In: Shankardass, M. (eds) International Handbook of Elder Abuse and Mistreatment. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8610-7_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8610-7_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-8609-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-8610-7

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation