Elder mistreatment and social network composition: an exploratory study

Abstract

Elder mistreatment, affecting an estimated one in ten older adults, has devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities. The magnitude of the issue and known barriers to addressing it through formal systems necessitate innovative approaches to identification and response. This study explores network composition change following elder mistreatment in order to assess the viability of leveraging network members in future intervention efforts. Multiply imputed linear regression models show associations between elder mistreatment and small increases in net change and the number of specific network additions. No association between elder mistreatment and network member losses or network density were found. These findings highlight the complexity of social network change in older adulthood and point to a need for future research considering the influence of Adult Protective Service intervention as well as qualitative work assessing older adults’ own perceptions of mistreatment and network change.