Citation

Desmarais SL, Reeves KA. Behav. Sci. Law 2007; 25(3): 377-391.

Affiliation

Simon Fraser University, Department of Psychology, Burnaby, BC, Canada. sldesmar@sfu.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/bsl.763

PMID

17506085

Abstract

Though not as common as in younger populations, intimate partner abuse (IPA) among elders is a significant and often overlooked problem. In this article, we focus on problems for research and intervention. We begin with a brief review of the phenomena of elder abuse and IPA, highlighting problems resulting from definitional issues and inconsistencies in research methodology. The balance of the paper comprises a discussion of problems for intervention. Drawing from the IPA and elder abuse literatures, risk factors unique to IPA among elders are presented, and limitations of existing screening and risk assessment instruments for use within this context are identified. The focus then shifts to legal considerations when working with elders who have experienced or perpetrated IPA. Our goals are to synthesize the elder abuse and IPA literatures, identify limitations within both, and to reflect upon the state of knowledge regarding IPA among elders. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Language: en