Help-Seeking and Elder Abuse: Examining Behavioral Trends Over Time

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Abstract

Victims of elder abuse often face significant barriers when seeking formal assistance including fear of retaliation, shame, and embarrassment (Rosenblatt et al., 1996; Swagerty et al., 1999). Prior research has analyzed factors that influence victims’ decision-making—victim gender, household income, and type of abuse—in reporting their victimization to formal channels (Burnes, Acierno, and Hernandez-Tejada, 2019; Pickering, Ziminski, and Rempusheski, 2014). However, many of these studies were cross-sectional, and as such, there are questions regarding the continuity of these processes. To address this gap, we employ the National Elder Mistreatment Study to examine the continuity of factors associated with help seeking behaviors across an eight-year time span.

By examining these trends, this study aims to identify the longitudinal characteristics of individuals who pursued formal assistance and the factors that discouraged others from doing so over a period of eight years. The findings of this study can inform policymakers by guiding targeted reforms within the criminal justice system. By addressing the key factors that influence help-seeking decisions, policymakers can create interventions to improve access to formal assistance and support systems for elder abuse victims.

Authors

• Jackie Bradford, Florida State University

• Julie Brancale, Florida State University