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*UGC - Senior Research Fellow, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli,Tamil Nadu
**Associate Professor of Victimology and Victim Assistance, Manonmaniam Sundaranar
University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.
A Study on
Victims of
Elder Abuse:
A Case
Study of
Residents
of Old age
Homes in
Tirunelveli
District
*Rufus D.
**& Dr. Beulah Shekhar
Introduction
Ageing is a universal feature and has attracted the
attention of biologist, economist and many other
th
experts in the second half of the 20 century. In
absolute terms, there has been a tremendous
increase in the number of older persons in India;
from 20.19 million in 1951 to 43.17 million in
1981 and to 55 million in 1991. This number is
expected to increase to 177.4 million in 2025 (
Elder abuse is the intentional or
unintentional hurting, either physical or
emotional, of a person who is age sixty or older.
There are problems as to whether neglect, self-
neglect, crimes against older people and such
other behaviors should be considered as elder
abuse (Prakash, 2001, p.447).
Physical abuse: intentional infliction of physical
harm to an older person. Psychological abuse: the
intentional infliction of mental harm and/or
Rosenthal &
psychological distress upon the older adult.
Burton
Ma t e r i a l / Fi n a n c i a l a b u s e : mi s u s e ,
misappropriation, and/or exploitation of an older
adult's material (e.g. possessions, property)
and/or monetary assets. Sexual abuse:
any sexual activity for which the older person
does not consent or is incapable of giving consent.
a) a caregiver who physically neglects
an elder does not provide for basic physical needs.
b) Emotional neglect is a lack of basic emotional
support, respect, and love. (Elder Abuse: Types,
Signs, n.d.).
An international comparative study of WHO
stated that the glaring problem faced was that
older couple was being asked to live separately
when they had more than one child i.e. the older
woman to stay with one adult child and the man to
stay with another according to the convenience
to apply these principles in making Law [Article
37]. In addition, Section 125 of the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973; makes it incumbent
for a person having sufficient means to maintain
his father or mother who are unable to maintain
t hemsel ves. The Hi ndu Adopt i on and
Maintenance Act, 1956 too recognizes the
obligation of a person to maintain his or her aged
or infirm parent (s) [Section 30 (30)].The

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior
Chattoraj,2002, p.33).
Citizens Act, 2007 reinforces this obligation and
expands the scope to include any person who shall
International encyclopedia of the social sciences
inherit the property of the older persons. It also
(1968) stated that it was regarded as a moral duty
simplifies the process to get redress and imposes
of the children to provide financial and physical
punishment in case of abandonment.
security to their parents in old age. However,
Rogers (1979) argued 'the younger generation
Elder Abuse
replaces the aged people in their powerful
It is important to understand what is elder abuse? position, leaving them in a weakened and
For simplicity, functionless situation. They do not get proper care
and protection from their children'. They have to
depend on their own capacity and resources; they
are exposed to vulnerability of the aging process.
So aging has become a complex and challenging
position for the individuals to face it personally.
This vulnerability and dependence in old age
Type of Elder Abuse exposes people to elder abuse. This problem
silently destroys the older person's life, health,
dignity, safety, emotional feelings and in a
nutshell destroys the human rights of older
person. The researchers Bengtson,
(1996) noted that elder abuse could be
psychological (e.g. verbal aggression), financial
or involve physical violence. Financial
exploitation is probably the most common form
(Woolf).
of abuse. This reality leads to the paramount
responsibility of any civilized society to give a
safety net and social service to the older people.
Neglect:
Legal Safeguards to Older Persons in India
Article 41 on the Indian Constitution states, The
state shall within its limits of economic capacity
and development make effective provisions for
securing the right to work, to education and to Review of Literature
public assistance in cases of unemployment, old
age, sickness and disablement and in other cases
of undeserved want". This provision is one of the
Directive Principles of State Policy, which are
considered fundamental to the good governance
of the country and, It shall be the duty of the state
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HELPAGE INDIA-RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL lVOL. 17 lNO.3 lOctober 2011
of their support in whatever housework /outside elderly, Srinivas (1996) in Vishakapatnam on
work t hey coul d cont ri but e. Lack of Elder abuse and neglect, Mahajan (1992) on
accommodation was also a problem identified abuse and social dependency of elder and aged
by the older persons. (Elder Abuse in India, a problems in unorganized sectors, Madhurima
Country Report, WHO, n.d.) (1989) in Chandigarh on elderly care in old age
homes.
In India, in a sample of 1,000 older persons, it was
revealed that 4 per cent had been physically Family still remains the major care-givers in old
abused. In another smaller sample of 50 oldest old age and the most preferred institution of the older
persons living in an urban area, 20 per cent said persons. In their research, Nandal, Karthi &
they had been neglected in their households. Kadian (1987) reported that more than 90 % of the
Similarly, in Argentina, 45 per cent of an urban older persons wanted to stay with their own
sample of older persons reported that they had family members rather than shifting to the home
been mistreated, most often faced psychological for aged; even it was provided by the government.
abuse (Elder Abuse Widespread and Unreported, Prasad (1983) also opined that in India the
2002: March). elderly would hardly like to live separately unless
forced by circumstances.
Many surveys in the West found the spouse as
abuser in 58 per cent of situations. An adult child
The Study in Tirunelveli
was the abuser in 42 per cent cases ( Pillamer &
The present investigation is a step in studying this
Finkelhore, 1988). Studies have shown that the
dangerous trend of elder abuse. Tirunelveli the
abusers were most likely be middle aged and
penultimate southern most district of Tamil Nadu
usually the offspring (son/daughter) of the
in India. The total geographical area of the district
abused.(Gelles,1987). Srinivas & Vijayalakshmi
is 6,823 sq. km. Total Population- 27 lakhs and
(2001), pointed out that the son, the daughter-in-
Old age population- 2.7 Lakhs (Census Statistics
law and the spouse, in that order, were frequently
of India, 2001).
reported to be the abusers of elder.
The aims of the research were to study the
prevalence of elder abuse in the family, to study

profile of the victim and abuser, to identify the
various forms of elder abuse experienced by the
Studies have constantly indicated that the most
older persons. The study also focused on impact
likely victim of elder abuse was a widow of very
of abuse on the victims and found out the coping
advanced age A study in India corroborated the
strategies used by the victims to overcome the
fact that Indian older widows were shown to be at
problems.
higher risk of being exploited by others. Prakash
(1997).
Method and Materials
According to Star (1987), besides physical
Sample
injuries, elder abuse might result in psychological
300 older persons were selected from the old age
problems for the elderly such as depression, fear,
homes situated in Tirunelveli District as
helplessness, low-self esteem and problems
respondents for the research. For this purpose, 3
relating to eating and sleeping. In addition,
government aided homes and 7 paid homes were
deprivation of needed medical intervention could
chosen by the convenient method. The residents
exacerbate the ageing process and may lead to
of the selected old age homes included victims
death. The financial exploitation, though not life
and non-victims of elder abuse. Of these 120
threatening, deprived the victim of an
participants from government aided old age
independent income and assets
homes and 180 from paid homes were selected by
Prakash (2001, p.450) pointed out that in India,
using non-probability purposive sampling
there has not yet been a country wide, cross
method.
regional study giving estimates of elder abuse.
Instruments
Some other important Indian researchers who
studied the various dimensions of elder abuse
Primarily, 15 participants each from government
were Bambawale (1997) in pune on abused elder
aided homes and paid homes were interviewed
widows, Rao (1995) in Andhra Pradesh on rural
with semi-structured interview schedule for the
Husbands and
middle aged sons were most often the abusers
according to another research (Hwalek
,Neale,Goodrich, & Quinn ,1996).
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HELPAGE INDIA-RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL lVOL. 17 lNO.3 lOctober 2011
pilot study. Based on the practical situational members and currently living in the old age
knowledge gained from the pilot study, the homes.
researchers modified the research tool by adding
?Elder abuse: For this study elder abuse was
the general questions with important variables.
defined as the six types of abuses such as
Thus the structured interview schedule was
physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial
constructed which consisted of 6 major parts with
abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect abuse
a total of 55 items. Part I had 15 items relating to
perpetrated individually or collectively,
the personal profile of the participants(victims),
against the elder person, since the
part II had 5 items relating to the profile of the
respondent had turned 60 years of age.
abusers (perpetrators), part III had 7 items
Physical abuse was defined as, abusive act
relating to various types and forms of elder abuse
by the nature of physical with the abusive
experienced by the elder, part IV had 4 items
intention. Emotional abuse was defined as,
relating to impact on the victims , resulting from
abusive act by the nature of emotional with
the elder abuse, part V had 2 items relating to
abusive intention. Financial abuse was
coping strategies of the victims to overcome their
defined as, abusive act by the nature of
emotional sufferings and the final part VI with
financial with abusive intention. Sexual
remaining items relating to the Victims
abuse was defined as, abusive act by the
perception on cause of elder abuse and facilities
nature of sexual act with abusive intention.
of old age homes.
Neglect was defined as deprivation of needs
of elder person with the abusive intention.
Process
?Victim: The elder who have experienced
Since the old age homes consisted of victims and
theelder abuse by the family members.
non-victims, firstly the researchers used the
following procedure to identify and to select the
?Government aided homes: The old age
participants (Victims of elder abuse) for the
homes which got partial financial
present study: i) identification through the case
assistance from the government to run
records of residents maintained by the old homes
the home and in which the elder
ii) identification through consultations with staffs
persons did not have to pay any money.
in old age homes, as they mostly knew the cases of
?Paid Homes: The homes / old age homes run
residents and iii) identification by directly
by the private individuals, society or trust to
interviewing the residents. Those with severe
which the elders or their family member had
physical and or mental frailty and limitations and
to pay, fully or partially for lodging and all
hesitation to respond freely to such questions
other facilities.
were not included.
A well-structured interview schedule was used to Results and Discussion
elicit the responses. The participants were asked
Profile of the Respondents
to respond the questions by recalling their
Of the total respondents, 56.7 per cent were experience of abusive incidents from the last 2
females and 43.3 per cent were males. Majority of years before they started living in the old age
the sample respondents were in the age group of home. The collected primary data was analyzed
75+ (38.3 per cent), followed by 33 per cent in the by using simple frequency method. The total
age group of 71-75 years, 18.3 per cent in age period spanned for the study was 2 months
group of 66-70 years and few in age group of 62- (March and April, 2009). The average time taken
65 years ( 10.3 per cent). for the interview with each participant was 45
minutes.
As regards the marital status, around 78.3 per cent
of the respondents were married, 13 per cent
Conceptual Definitions
widowed and 6.7 per cent were separated or
?Elder: For the purpose of this study elder was
divorced only 2% were unmarried. In educational
defined as a person who had attained the age
attainment terms, a large size of the respondents
of 60 years and above, had lived at least for
were illiterate (63.3 per cent) , followed by 22.3 %
two years with eth family after attaining the
who were educated up to middle level, 7 % up to
age of 60 years and had previously
secondary school level and 4.3 % had technical
experienced abuse by his/ her family
education and meager 3 per cent had collegiate
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ARTICLE
Figures in the parentheses are percentages.
education. In terms of educational status, majority of the
abusers were educated up to middle school level
In terms of employment, nearly half of the
(38.3 per cent) followed by 29.7 % of abusers
respondents were unemployed (50.3 per cent)
with higher secondary level education , 14.3 %
which showed the financial dependence ,while
had collegiate education , 14 % had technical
20.7 % were employed in private sector, followed
education and meager per cent (3.7) were
by 19.3 % engaged in their own business and
illiterates. As regards the occupation, 46.3 % of
few had been in government employment (9.7 per
abusers were engaged in their own business, 26.3
cent), before they started living in the old age
% were employed in private sector, 16.3 % had no
homes.
employment, 7.3 % of abusers had employment
in government sectors and 3.7 % were students.
Profile of the Abuser (Perpetrator of elder
abuse)
Of the total respondents, 47 per cent were
generally abused by the combination of more than
The respondents were asked to point out the
one type of abuse, which could be either physical
person/s who frequently abused them in their
and emotional abuse, emotional and financial
family. From the total responses, 64.7 % of
abuse, physical , financial and neglect abuse , and
abusers were males and 35.7 % were females. In
emotional and neglect abuse, etc., Apart from
most of the cases the son was the frequent abuser
that, majority of the sample experienced
(39 per cent) followed by daughter in 15 % cases
emotional abuse (16.3 per cent) followed by
and the others were son-in-law (14.7 %),
financial abuse (14.3 per cent), physical abuse
daughter-in-law (7.3%) spouse (3.7 %), grand
(11.7 per cent), neglected (8.3 per cent) and a few
daughter (3.7%), grandson (2%). 14.7 % of the
experienced sexual abuse (2.3 per cent). Female
respondents were abused by more than one
respondents generally experienced emotional and
person , mostly the combination were: son and
financial abuse whereas majority of male
daughter, son and daughter-in-law, daughter and
respondents experienced emotional abuse in. See
son-in-law, son and spouse, or grand son and
Table 1 for details.
grand daughter. Majority of the abusers were in
the middle aged category 36-50 years (61.7 %),
Sons as abusers mostly inflicted physical and
followed by 18.3 % of abusers in age category of
emotional abuse against their parent/s. As regards
51-59 years, 17.3 % of abusers were in young age
daughters, they committed financial abuse
category of 19-35 years, 1.7 % of the abusers were
against their parent/s. The son/s-in-law mostly
older people and 1% were children, below 18
inflicted multiple abuse of the older parent/s,
years of age.
Table 1 Gender and Type of Abuse Experienced
HELPAGE INDIA-RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL lVOL. 17 lNO.3 lOctober 2011
Type of abuse
Experienced
Total
Male

29 (9.7 )
34 (11.3)
28 (9.3)
4 (1.3)
15 (5.0)
60 (20.0)
170 (56.7)
Female
6 (2.0)
15 (5.0)
15 (5.0)
3 (1.0)
10 (3.3)
81 (27.0)
130 (43.3) 300 (100.0)
Gender of Elder
Physical abuse
Emotional
abuse
Financial abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect
Mixed abuse
Total
35 (11.7)
49 (16.3)
43 (14.3)
7 (2.3)
25 (8.3)
141(47.0)
ARTICLE
33
while the physical, emotional, and financial abuse a majority of the samples were not allowed to
were almost equally practiced by them. purchase the thing/s they want to buy (12.7per
Daughter/s-in-law mostly perpetrated financial cent) followed by the abusers misusing and or
abuse. The spouses generally neglected or taking away their valuable things(11.7 per cent)
inflicted financial and sexual abuse. Though such as property , gold jewels, money etc., the
grandchildren were not frequent elder abusers, abusers forced them to prepare the property will
both, boys and girls emotionally abused their (10.3 per cent) ,damaged the properties of the
elders. Grand daughters were found to perpetrate elder ( 9.7 per cent), the abusers denied the elders
financial abuse on grandparents. There was no to utilize their pensions (8.3 %), misuse the elder's
physical and sexual abuse by the grand children. signature to withdraw money form bank
The grand children and spouse abusers had never accounts(1.3 per cent). Another 7 % of the
practiced the multiple form of abuse, which samples stated that they had generally
means every abuser practiced only one specific experienced more than one form of financial
type of abuse against their victim. See table 2 for abuse.39 % of the respondents had no such
details. experience.
The respondents were asked to mention the most
Form of Abuse
common form of sexual abuse they experienced
The respondents were asked to mention the most
in their family. Though very few cases of such
common form of physical abuse they experienced
abuse were reported, but this should be seen in the
in their family. The responses were: a majority of
context of general hesitation to talk about such an
the them experienced hair-pulling as physical
experinece. The responses were: The elders
abuse against them(8.3 per cent),followed by
encountered sexual jokes and sexual criticism
pushing(6.7 per cent), kicking (3.7 per
from the abusers (5.3 per cent), unwelcome
cent),punching ( 3.3 per cent), slapping (2.7 per
physical contact by the abusers (1 per cent) and in
cent), beating (2.3 per cent), throw something at
one case a elder woman reported that she had
them (2 per cent),and tying up the body (2 per
frequently experienced sexual assault by her
cent). Another 4.3 % of the respondents stated
husband such as forcing her to have sexual
that they had generally experienced more than
intercourse with him and he had forced sex with
one form of physical abuse. 63.3 % of the samples
her many times. Another 4.7 % of the samples
had no experience of such kind of physical abuse
stated that they had generally experienced more
in their family.
than one form of sexual abuse. 88.7 % of the
respondents had no such experience. The respondents were asked to mention the most
common form of emotional abuse they
The samples were asked to mention the most
experienced in their family. The responses were:
common form of neglect they experienced in their
a majority of them reported degrading or use of
family. The responses were: improper food was
filthy verbal language (12 per cent) followed by
served, not provided food at all, not provided food
shouting (9.3 per cent) separating the grand
at the appropriate time or provided stale food by
children from them (7.3 per cent) isolated or
the family members (10.3 per cent), followed by
locked them in a separate place or room (6.3 %),
absence of necessary medical care to the
did not allow them to meet their relatives and
respondents (7.3 per cent). 6 % of the respondents
friends (5.7 per cent), life threatening
reported that they were separated from the
intimidation (4.3 per cent), and not allowed them
general utilities such as kitchen, bathroom,
to take decision on family related matters (4.0 per
lavatory, main halls in the house, 5.7 % reported
cent). Another 3.3 % stated that they had
that they had been turned out of their house. 6.3
generally experienced more than one form of
per cent were denied good clothing , 5.3% did not
emotional abuse.45 % of the samples had no
get any help from eth family members in doing
experience of such kind of emotional abuse in
the additional activities of daily living like
their family.
washing clothes. 4.7 % of the respondents stated
that they had generally experienced multiple The samples were asked to mention the most
forms of neglect. The study revealed that half of common form of financial abuse they
the total respondents had no such experience. experienced in their family. The responses were:
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ARTICLE
had no emotional or psychological impact of any Impact of Abuse on the Victim/s
kind.
Table 3 clearly gives a picture of the impact of
The various forms of financial impact were
physical, emotional, financial, sexual abuse on et
feeling of financial insecurity (22.7 per cent)
respondents. The impact of one form of abuse
which could be due to not being able to handle
could be similar to another type of abuse.The
their money, pension and property, followed by
various forms of physical impact of abuse were
the non-availability of necessary medical
physical trauma (pain) in affected parts (16 per
facilities for their illness (19.7 per cent), as the
cent), injuries (8 per cent), frequent head-ache
result of neglect many lost their valuable things
(7.7 per cent) which could be due to recurrent
(14 per cent) such as gold jewellery and property,
thoughts of abusive practice and fear of abuse,
loss due theft, misuse of valuables and damage to
difficulty to perform day-to-day personal work (4
the property by the abusers also affected the older
per cent), scratches (3.7 per cent) ,temporary
persons. 28 % of victims suffered from multiple
physical impairment (2.3 per cent) such as bone
type of financial abuse which resulted in many
fracture, etc., punctures (1.7 per cent) and mixed
different conditions for the victim/s.
physical impacts (4 per cent) which denotes
appearance of more than one form of physical
The various forms of sexual impacts were: trauma
impact. It could also result in sleeping disorder
in sex organ (4 per cent) due to physical assault on
and appetite disorder, etc.
sex organ by kicking, punching, etc., infection/
bad smell in sex organ due to absence of good
The various forms of emotional impacts suffered
clothing and absence of medical care, and
by the elders were: majority of the victims felt that
venereal diseases ( 1 per cent) .
they were lonely in the world (22%), followed by,
crying while they were alone (14.7 per cent),
expecting love and affection from the family
members (13.3 per cent), feeling of anger and
vengeance towards the abusers (8.3 per cent),
lesser confidence about future life (8 per cent) ,
confusion on what was going around them ( 6.7
per cent), suicidal thoughts ( 5.3 per cent), and
mixed emotional impact( 5.7 per cent) which
denotes the more than one form of emotional
impact. Only a small percentage of victims (16)
Table 2: Type of Abuse and Relationship of the Respondent with the Abuser
Type of Abuse Total
Physical
Abuse
Emotional
Abuse
Financial
Abuse
Sexual
Abuse
Neglect
Multiple
Abuse
Relation
Total
Son
Daughter
Son-in-law
Daughter-in-law
Spouse
Grandson
Granddaughter
More than
16
3
7
2
1
-
-
6
35
22
4
5
2
1
3
3
9
49
2
19
6
7
4
-
5
-

43
-
-
2
1
4
-
-
-

7
6
5
-
3
5
3
3
-

25
71
13
25
3
-
-
-
29
141
117
44
45
18
15
6
11
44
300
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one abuser
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ARTICLE
Forms of Impacts
Nothing
Injuries
Scratches
Punctures
Physical trauma(pain)
Frequent headache
Physical impairment
Difficulty to personal Activities
of Daily Living (ADL)
Mixed impacts
Total
Nothing
Crying when Alone
Feeling Lonely
Expecting Love and Affection
Confusion
Anger &Vengeance towards the abuser
Lesser Confidence in relationship
Suicidal Tendencies
Mixed impacts
Total
Nothing
Denial of Necessary Medical Facility
Financial dissatisfaction/unsatisfied
Loss of Valuable Things
Expenses for Medical Treatment
Mixed Impacts
Total
Nothing
trauma in Sex organ
Venereal disease
Infection/bad smell
Total

160
24
9
5
48
23
7
12
12
300
48
44
66
40
20
25
24
16
17
300
62
59
68
42
41
28
300
280
12
3
5
300
53.3
8.0
3.0
1.7
16.0
7.7
2.3
4.0
4.0
100.0
16.0
14.7
22.0
13.3
6.7
8.3
8.0
5.3
5.7
100.0
20.7
19.7
22.7
14.0
13.7
9.3
100.0
93.3
4.0
1.0
1.7
100.0
Table 3 Various Forms of Impacts Suffered by the Elders
Type of
Impacts
Emotional
Impacts
Physical
Impacts
Financial
Impacts
Sexual
Impacts
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Percentage Frequency
ARTICLE
36
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
per cent), religious priest (14 per cent), son or Coping Methods
daughter (10 per cent), Spouse (7.7 per cent),
Coping is very common behavior of human who
NGO volunteers (6 per cent) and son-in-law or
faces problems, who is in crisis or when in stress.
daughter-in-law (2.7 per cent). 11 % of the
The coping mechanisms could vary from
respondents did not get any emotional support.
individual to individual. Dussich & Maekoya
(2007) quoted that social coping model suggests Older Persons' Opinion
that coping behaviors are utilitarian in their
30.7 % of the respondents opined that abusing the
ability to reduce stress. So the participants were
elder member was the 'common practice of
asked to mention the most common technique of
youth', followed by 23.3 % of them who were of
overcoming the abuse and their emotional
the opinion that the 'need for money' was the
sufferings. The responses about the coping
primary reason, 20.7 % opined that 'the age and
methods they followed were: i. Expressed and
physical vulnerability of the elder people' was
shared their feeling and sorrows with their most
responsible for abuse, 14.3 % blamed 'marital
trustworthy friends and relatives (18.3 per cent),
problems ' i.e. a daughter-in-law may induce the
ii. The elders rationalized and tolerated abuse as
son to abuse/neglect his parent in order to allow
destiny (16.7 per cent), iii. Made attempts to
them to live separately; a son-in-law may induce
forget the abusive incidents (14 per cent), iv.
the daughter to abuse her parent to part with their
Prayed to God for relief (11.7 per cent), v. played
money or property. 'Alcoholism' was cited as a
with grand children and showed affection to them
reason by only 4% of participants and 7 % of
(11.7 per cent), vi. Verbal confrontation with the
participants could not explain the abusive
abuser (7.3 per cent) vii. Showed affection to the
behaviour.
spouse and shared the sorrow (7 per cent), viii.
Physically resisted the abuser (6.3 per cent) ix.
Feelings of the Abused
Ran away from the house (4.7 per cent) x.
Majority of them agreed with all given statements
Lodged police complaint against the abuser/s (2.3
about insecurity and despondency. 85.7% felt
per cent).
unsafe and insecure in the family. 86.3% were
Emotional Support apprehensive about their future. 96% felt
uncomfortable with the family. 84% felt that the
The respondents spoke about the persons who
'unwanted' in the family. Despite this negativity
emotionally supported them and talked to them
about their relations with the family, 61.3 % of
kindly and were compassionate. In most cases the
respondents expressed the desire for reunion with
emotional supporters were friends or relatives
their family. See Figure 1 for details.
(33.7 per cent), followed by grand children (15
Figure 1 Statements About Insecurity and Despondency
want to return to family
cant decide
nobody wants me in my family
uncomfortable in family
apprehensive about my future
unsafe and insecure
disagree
agree
HELPAGE INDIA-RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL lVOL. 17 lNO.3 lOctober 2011
found within all categories. Other Findings of the Study
Almost half of the total respondents experienced
?Of the total, 258 participants accepted that
multiple forms of abuse and by various family
they abused their elders in the past. 88.7 per
members. The reported incidents of sexual abuse
cent of that 258 participants confirmed that
were less than that of financial, emotional,
their children witnessed those abusive
neglect and physical abuse. In the study, the
practices.
prevailing order of abuses could be arranged as
?87.7 % of the respondents had no money or
financial abuse, emotional abuse, neglect,
resources as in most cases their income was
physical abuse and sexual abuse. In every type of
taken away by the abuser. In some other cases,
abuse, the form of abuse varied from ordinary to
there was forcible transfer of property. Most
severe. Physical abuse varied from slapping to
of the elders were made financially
beating or assault by the sharp objects. The forms
dependents on their children who turned
of emotional abuse were isolation, life threat or
abusers.
intimidation, shouting, confinement etc. The
forms of financial abuse were forcible taking of
?As regards frequency of any kind of abuse,
money; misuse of elder's money, damage to her
majority of the participants (66.7 per cent)
property or forcible eviction from house.
stated 2-10 incidents of abuse, followed by 31
% who had been experienced the abuse
As regards the impacts of abuse, the emotional
innumerable times, 2.3 % had been
impact was more common among the elders
experienced the abuse only once.
which lead to the feeling of isolation, depression
and suicidal tendencies at times. It was difficult
?3 % of the respondents participants had
to establish which type of abuse led to which
applied for the maintenance from their
particular impact but all had some effect on eth
children and legal heirs under the
emotional state of the victim. Frequent emotional
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and
abuse could lead to physical ill-health and
Senior Citizens Act-2007. Only 1 % was
financial expenses. Sexual abuse could have
receiving the maintenance. 9 % of the
emotional and physical impact. Neglecting of
respondents were receiving the benefits of
proper food, cloth and medical facility could
government's old age pension scheme.
result in physical as well as psychological
?35.3 % of respondents had no visitor from
illnesses. Star (1987) and Deviprasad (1996) in
home after they shifted to the old age home,
their reports also explained that there were
followed by 32 % who were visited by non-
different forms of outcome for a single type of
family members such as friends, relatives etc,
abuse.
and 32.7 % were visited by their family
In this study, the researcher did not do an in-depth
members.
analysis of causes of elder abuse. However, the
Discussion and Conclusion
perception of the victims were elicited and
analyzed. The common perceptions were the son
For the purpose of this study, the victims of elder
abused for money, drunkenness, to live
abuse were chosen only from the old age homes.
separately; the daughter abused mainly for need
The economic and physical dependence could be
for money or greed of husband or in laws for
the major reason for their vulnerability to abuse.
money. The son-in-law abused for dowry
85 per cent belonged to the poor strata and 30%
demands, drunken etc: the daughter-in-law
had poor health. It was established by many
abused if she was unwilling to take responsibility
researchers that the physical, social, financial
for care of eth in-laws, conflict with mother-in-
dependency of elderly individuals leads to their
law, desire to live separately. The spouse abused
victimization and abuse.
due to maladjustment, ageing problems, sexual
Most of the respondents had a family history of
behavior, alcoholism, need for money. The grand
elder abuse and the children were generally
children abused older persons for they considered
witness to such behaviour. In our present study,
the 'worthless' exploitation for money.
the children of the respondent were the
The elders used different coping strategies to
perpetrators of abuse in 53.7 per cent cases.
overcome their emotional sufferings and their
Educational qualification did not seem to have
abusers .The coping strategies could be seen as
any effect on abusive behavior as abusers were
ARTICLE
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HELPAGE INDIA-RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL lVOL. 17 lNO.3 lJanuary 2011
fight group strategies and flight group strategies. the justice system.
Fight group strategies included physical
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