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Open research questions in Elder Abuse and Neglect

106 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 1,788 Elder Abuse and Neglect papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Informed by existing gaps in the research of elder abuse and neglect (EAN) outcomes and very limited knowledge from Central-European cultural contexts, this paper analyzes the link between domestic-based EAN and three measures of well-being, namely subjective loneliness, sense of control over one's life, and a broader outlook on life.

    Outcomes of elder abuse and neglect in Central Europe: exploring the link between EAN and well-being among non-institutionalized older adults · 2024 · DOI

  • Lack of instrumental support is a well-evidenced etiologic factor in the development and continuation of SN, but little is known about other modifiable social connection characteristics.

    Social connection and self-neglect: A case for broader exploration · 2024 · DOI

  • Empirical studies that shed light into the realities of ADs of persons living with dementia are few and far between and too little is known about the effect of national AD legislation on such realities.

    Inappropriate Involvement? Presenting Empirical Insight into the Preparation Phase of Advance Directives of Persons Living with Dementia Under German Legislation · 2023 · DOI

  • Using a sample of women age 50 and older, including both victims and non-victims, the current study addressed this gap in research by examining whether age or the women's loved one's ability to care for themselves have an effect on attitudes toward traditional values.

    Traditional values and domestic violence: an examination of older women’s attitudes and the ability to care for oneself · 2020 · DOI

  • Repeat referral to adult protective services APS (recurrence) is a much-discussed topic among APS agencies as it may indicate ongoing harm, yet there is limited research examining prevalence or causes.

    Who is in the revolving door? Policy and practice implications of recurrent reports to adult protective services · 2020 · DOI

  • Elder abuse and neglect (EAN) occurrence is expected to increase in many countries due to rapidly aging populations, yet it is still unrecognized and underreported.

    The Effectiveness of Educational Intervention in Improving Primary Health-Care Service Providers’ Knowledge, Identification, and Management of Elder Abuse and Neglect: A Systematic Review · 2019 · DOI

  • Some primary research gaps exist: such as, lack of consistency in measurements and recall periods, insufficient studies on the causal relationships between potential risk factors and elder abuse, consequences of elder abuse, and possible interventions.

    Elder Abuse in Chinese Populations: A Global Review · 2015 · DOI

  • The last review of elder abuse statutes occurred in 2001; thus, a reexamination is warranted given the increased awareness of elder abuse at the state and national level and the growing number of older adults in the United States.

    Analysis of Elder Abuse Statutes Across the United States, 2011–2012 · 2014 · DOI

  • While literature suggests that declining control is linked to negative outcomes, our findings suggest that the process involved when tasks are transfer to others (delegated or taken by them) may be an important, under-investigated element with potential implications for future research and practice.

    Transferring Control to Others · 2013 · DOI

  • Although it is well recognized that unmarried seniors are more likely to experience instability in their living arrangements than their married counterparts, few studies have tested whether spousal bereavement in and of itself operates as a triggering mechanism for a subsequent loss of residential independence.

    Spousal Bereavement as a Triggering Mechanism for a Loss of Residential Independence Among Canadian Seniors · 2011 · DOI

  • Although work to date has provided some basic information on the risk factors associated with financial exploitation and the potential impact it may have on the older adults (and families) who have been victimized, much remains to be learned about its characteristics, causes, and consequences, and about effective means to prevent or manage financial exploitation.

    A Conceptual Framework of Financial Exploitation of Older Persons · 2004 · DOI

  • Studies published between 1951 and 2000 show that (1) in old age, PDs are prevalent both in normal subjects and to a greater extent in the mentally ill; (2) the evidence for general age-relatedness of PDs is scarce and contradictory; (3) there is evidence for specific age-relatedness of PDs in old age.

    Personality Disorders in the Elderly Compared to Four Younger Age Groups: A Cross-sectional Study of Community Residents And Mental Health Patients · 2003 · DOI

  • It does not seem (1) that the elderly are victimized more often than persons in other age groups, (2) that the rate of increase in their victimization is greater than for other age groups, or (3) that they suffer more often than other age groups from violent crimes, though it is not yet known whether they suffer more physical or financial harm when they are victimized.

    Evaluating the Rhetoric of Crisis: A Case Study of Criminal Victimization of the Elderly · 1976 · DOI

  • While a significant body of literature exists documenting the increased rates of child maltreatment and intimate partner violence after an environmental hazard, there is limited knowledge as to how these hazards impact elder mistreatment.

    When the storm hits twice: elder mistreatment in the face of climate change · 2026 · DOI

  • This paper also showcases recent innovations in person-centered and trauma-informed care for elder mistreatment and offers recommendations for further research on and greater access to trauma-informed services.

    Trauma-Informed Approaches to Support Victim-Survivors of Elder Financial Exploitation · 2025 · DOI

  • We found limited evidence that intergenerational programs can be effective elder abuse primary prevention strategies by countering ageism including overcoming age-related stereotypes in both community and institutional settings.

    Primary Prevention Interventions for Elder Abuse: A Systematic Review · 2025 · DOI

  • The article reveals that while social death is commonly ascribed to Alzheimer’s, this ascription does not account for the manifold social implications of the diagnosis.

    Questions of (non)Disclosure among People Living with Alzheimer’s Disease in Denmark · 2023 · DOI

  • Background Financial abuse, one of the fastest growing forms of abuse in the elderly population, has remained understudied, especially in Asian communities, due to cultural variations in its definition and perception.

    Elder financial abuse based on victim–perpetrator relationship as perceived by Asian young adults · 2022 · DOI

  • No studies were identified that directly addressed the first question regarding assessment strategies, but four instruments used for elder abuse screening in the emergency department were identified.

    Research priorities for elder abuse screening and intervention: A Geriatric Emergency Care Applied Research (GEAR) network scoping review and consensus statement · 2021 · DOI

  • IMPLICATIONSThe abuse of older people is complex and under-reported, and many older people choose to take no action as a large proportion of perpetrators are family members.

    Family Group Conferencing as an Additional Service Response to the Abuse of Older People in Australia · 2021 · DOI

  • This contribution focusses a rarely addressed issue in research on home-based care in old age: violence and protection against violence in around-the-clock care arrangements in Germany.

    Gewaltpotentiale und Gewaltschutz in Privathaushalten mit 24-Stunden-Pflegekräften · 2019 · DOI

  • Objective: Whereas prevalence of elder financial mistreatment has received increased attention over the past decade, health and mental health correlates are rarely studied.

    Mental Health Correlates of Financial Mistreatment in the National Elder Mistreatment Study Wave II · 2018 · DOI

  • Elder abuse increases the likelihood of early mortality, but little is known regarding which types of abuse may be resulting in the greatest mortality risk.

    Five-year all-cause mortality rates across five categories of substantiated elder abuse occurring in the community · 2016 · DOI

  • These mixed findings suggest that while specific interventions may reduce elder abuse tolerance, supplemental educational efforts over time may be necessary to maintain intervention-specific gains in intentions and behaviors particular to elder abuse.

    The Impact of Elder Abuse Education on Young Adults · 2015 · DOI

  • INTRODUCTION: Although there is a considerable research about the prevalence, aetiology, and management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, there is limited research about the experience of caring for people with such symptoms in long-term aged care facilities.

    Ongoing challenges responding to behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia · 2015 · DOI

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106 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 1,788 Elder Abuse and Neglect papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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