Psycho-emotional Consequences of Hospitalized Elder Abuse from Older Patients’ Perspective

Sakineh Gholamzadeh,Ladan Zarshenas,Abbas Ebadi,Zeinab Naderi

doi:10.29333/ejgm/7811

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: The present study aimed to identify and describe psycho-emotional consequences of hospitalized elder abuse from older patients’ views. Methods: An inductive qualitative content analysis research was conducted at various wards of six educational hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. A total of 16 elderly patients aged 60 years and older were selected using purposive sampling and data gathering was done using semi-structured, individual interviews. The data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method proposed by Elo and Kyngas (2008). Results: The Psycho-emotional consequences of hospitalized elder abuse were reflected in three main categories, namely feeling of insecurity, aggression, and learned helplessness. Conclusion: Hospitalized elder abuse could be accompanied with immediate Psycho-emotional consequences, such as feeling of insecurity and aggression, as well as persistent and long-term consequences, such as helplessness. Thus, monitoring and training the healthcare staff and raising their awareness regarding consequences of hospitalized elder abuse are necessary to prevent this phenomenon.

Highlights

Introduction and ObjectiveThe present study aimed to identify and describe psycho-emotional consequences of hospitalized elder abuse from older patients’ views
Elder abuse is a major public health problem, which is accompanied with serious social, economic, and health consequences [1]. It can occur in various settings, including individuals’ houses, daily centers, hospitals, and nursing homes [2], and for all elderly people irrespective of sex, race, living arrangement, health status, and inability
Elder abuse in institutions is one of the main concerns in taking care of elderly patients [7] and they are at risk of abuse in hospitals and clinical environments, and clinical practice [2,3]

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and ObjectiveThe present study aimed to identify and describe psycho-emotional consequences of hospitalized elder abuse from older patients’ views. Elder abuse is a major public health problem, which is accompanied with serious social, economic, and health consequences [1]. It can occur in various settings, including individuals’ houses, daily centers, hospitals, and nursing homes [2], and for all elderly people irrespective of sex, race, living arrangement, health status, and inability. It can be committed by family members, hired caregivers, friends, neighbors, and healthcare providers including nurses [3]. Two out of each three personnel had committed elder abuse during the past year [1]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion