Examining the Role of Substance Abuse in Elder Mistreatment: Results From Mistreatment Investigations

• NCJ Number: 254211
• Author(s): Kendon J. Conrad; Pi-Ju Liu; Madelyn Iris
• Date Published: 2019
• Length: 26 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2011-IJ-CX-0014
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Award: Elder Abuse Computerized Decision Support System

Annotation

Since substance abuse has long been identified as a risk factor for elder mistreatment, this study tested hypotheses regarding whether perpetrator and victim substance use were associated with financial exploitation, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect of elderly persons compared with no abuse.

Abstract

Cross-sectional data were collected on 948 cases with yes/no substantiation decisions, with 357 cases having no abuse in elder mistreatment investigations. Hypotheses were tested using odds ratios, bivariate, and multiple linear regression analyses, including a control for victim vulnerability. Of 948 alleged victims, 42 (4.4 percent) exhibited signs of substance use problems. Among the 323 alleged perpetrators, 87 (26.9 percent) were reported to have substance use problems. Substance use problems by alleged perpetrators were associated (p < .01) with financial exploitation, physical abuse, and emotional abuse, but not neglect. Substance use problems by alleged victims were associated with neglect, but not the other types. Alleged perpetrators with substance use problems tended to commit multiple forms of abuse, were male, and not caregivers. Except for the findings on neglect, the associations with elder mistreatment were stronger for alleged perpetrators with substance use problems, than for alleged victims. Clarification of the role of perpetrator risk factors such as substance abuse should improve risk identification and subsequent intervention. (publisher abstract modified)