Citation

Beaulaurier RL, Seff LR, Newman FL, Dunlop B. J. Elder Abuse Negl. 2006; 17(3): 53-74.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J084v17n03_04

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

There has been relatively little qualitatively or quantitatively published research to guide the field in identifying and addressing barriers to seeking help for older women who experience domestic violence. Women over the age of 45 have seldom been participants in research on domestic violence. This paper describes results from a qualitative study that focused on reactions to and internalization of abusive behaviors of an intimate partner. Twenty-one focus groups were conducted with 134 middle-aged and older women. Analysis of the data identified six factors that describe reactions to abusive behavior that become barriers to help seeking, including self-blame, powerlessness, hopelessness, the need to protect family, and the need to keep such abuse secret from others. These findings are discussed with implications for community outreach and future research.