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Berg K, Kjellberg I. Managing reports of trouble: designated officials' responses to reports of mistreatments initiated by service users and relatives. J Elder Abuse Negl 2024; 36:1-24. [PMID: 38126731 DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2023.2297221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Mandatory reporting of elder abuse aims to detect and prevent mistreatment and improve services. Service users and their relatives can raise concerns, but only staff can file mandatory reports. This article examines how the concerns of service users and relatives were managed by designated officials in reports of mistreatments in care for older adults in Sweden. We lean on sociological theories of "interpersonal trouble" and organizational "disputes domains." The thematic analysis is based on 28 incident reports initiated by service users or their relatives. The analysis shows that the reports were managed in one of three ways: asymmetrically, by 1) dismissing or 2) supporting the complainant's position, or symmetrically, by 3) treating complainants' accounts as credible but minimizing their seriousness. There were differences between reports initiated by service users and relatives. Dismissing concerns about abuse, mainly those made by relatives, risks support for service users failing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Berg
- Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Inger Kjellberg
- Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Ribeiro D, Carreira L, Salci MA, Marques FRDM, Gallo A, Baccon W, Baldissera V, Laranjeira C. The Institutionalisation of Brazilian Older Abused Adults: A Qualitative Study among Victims and Formal Carers. Geriatrics (Basel) 2023; 8:65. [PMID: 37367097 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics8030065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Abuse against elders is acknowledged as a severe and pervasive problem in society. If support services are not tailored to the victims' knowledge or perceived needs, the intervention is likely to be unsuccessful. This study aimed to explore the experience of institutionalisation of abused older people from the perspective of the victims and their formal carers in a Brazilian social shelter. A qualitative descriptive study was performed with 18 participants, including formal carers and older abused persons admitted to a long-term care institution in the south of Brazil. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts of semi-structured qualitative interviews. Three themes were identified: (1) personal, relational, and social bonds: broken or weakened; (2) denial of the violence suffered; and (3) from imposed protection to compassionate care. Our findings provide insights for effective prevention and intervention measures in elder abuse. From a socio-ecological standpoint, vulnerability and abuse might be averted at the community and societal levels (e.g., education and awareness of elder abuse) by creating a minimum standard for the care of older individuals (e.g., law or economic incentives). Further study is needed to facilitate recognition and raise awareness among individuals in need and those offering assistance and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayane Ribeiro
- Postgraduate Nursing Department, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790-Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil
| | - Lígia Carreira
- Postgraduate Nursing Department, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790-Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil
| | - Maria Aparecida Salci
- Postgraduate Nursing Department, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790-Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Adriana Gallo
- Postgraduate Nursing Department, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790-Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil
| | - Wanessa Baccon
- Postgraduate Nursing Department, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790-Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Baldissera
- Postgraduate Nursing Department, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790-Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil
| | - Carlos Laranjeira
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 5, Rua de Santo André-66-68, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), University of Évora, 7000-801 Évora, Portugal
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