@article{ref1,
title="The importance of investigating abuser characteristics in elder emotional/psychological abuse: results from adult protective services data",
journal="Journals of gerontology. Series B: psychological sciences and social sciences",
year="2019",
author="Liu, Pi-Ju and Conrad, Kendon J. and Beach, Scott R. and Iris, Madelyn and Schiamberg, Lawrence B.",
volume="74",
number="5",
pages="897-907",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Elder emotional/psychological abuse is the infliction of mental anguish on older adults through verbal or non-verbal acts. Using indicators based on existing literature, theoretically important abuser characteristics and victim vulnerabilities were collected using the Elder Abuse Decision Support System (EADSS) to test a theory of emotional/psychological abuse. <br><br>METHOD: Eight-hundred-and-ten alleged emotional/psychological abuse cases were investigated by caseworkers in six Illinois adult protective services (APS) agencies; 466 individuals endorsed at least one item on the Older Adult Psychological Abuse Measure (OAPAM). <br><br>RESULTS: Bivariate ordinary linear regression results established that all abuser characteristics were predictive of emotional/psychological abuse scores. In the hierarchical regression model where abuser characteristics were entered after victim vulnerabilities, abuser characteristics predicted emotional/psychological abuse above and beyond victim vulnerabilities (ΔR2 = 0.349, p <.001). Abuser risk and abuser's negative attitudes towards victims remained as significant predictors in the final model. Post hoc analysis identified significant items of abuser risk and negative attitudes, including: an emotionally draining relationship between abuser and victim, abuser's poor temper control, and abuser's angry feelings towards victims. <br><br>DISCUSSION: Abuser weaknesses and strengths as highlighted in the theoretical framework should be further investigated for future prevention and intervention in cases of emotional/psychological abuse.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1079-5014",
doi="10.1093/geronb/gbx064",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbx064"
}