NCJ Number
219951
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 18 Issue: 2/3 Dated: 2006 Pages: 51-65
Date Published
2006
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A convenience sample of 17 men and 17 women from the Portuguese islands of the Azores and Madeira were asked to provide examples of how extreme, moderate, and mild maltreatment of an elderly parent by an adult child would be defined in their culture.
Abstract
References to neglect and physical maltreatment were mentioned most often as examples of extreme maltreatment. Neglect, especially psychological neglect, was the most common form of maltreatment included at all three levels of maltreatment. This is most likely related to the cultural belief that it is the responsibility of the family to care for elderly people in the community. Economic maltreatment was rarely mentioned, such as withholding or controlling finances. Sexual maltreatment was not mentioned, perhaps because respondents believed this form of maltreatment was unlikely between an adult child and an elderly parent. Older participants were more likely to include a higher number of references to disrespect as examples of extreme maltreatment. Psychological maltreatment scores also correlated positively with age. None of the men mentioned abandonment as an example of abuse; whereas, three women who listed abandonment viewed it as extremely abusive. The Portuguese surveys were mailed to the data collectors, who then distributed the surveys in various locations, including schools, local businesses, and parishes. The survey, entitled the Cross-cultural Survey on Family Violence and Maltreatment (Malley-Morrison, 2004) is an open-ended survey developed by a multilingual team of international students and their faculty advisor. It was developed in order to assess international perspectives on maltreatment in various family interactions. 1 table and 13 references