Social causes of violence against the elderly in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The paper discussed a complex and insufficiently researched social phenomenon, namely violence against the elderly. The aim of the research was to describe, investigate and explain the social causes of violence against the elderly, and to offer proposals for solving the phenomenon of violence against the elderly in Bosnia and Hercegovina. The following methods were used in the research process: a descriptive method, a content analysis method, general scientific methods (statistical, comparative) and a survey research method. In terms of research instruments, a survey questionnaire for the elderly population, a survey questionnaire for professionals, a structured and unstructured interview were used. The sample of respondents consisted of 500 elderly people and 50 professionals employed in the judiciary, prosecutor's office, ministry, police, social work centers, nursing homes, health centers and NGOs, from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research results show that there are risk causes that contribute to violence against the elderly, visible in the increased cultural differences between generations in one family, and if they live in families with a history of violent behavior and a history of intragenerational and intergenerational conflicts. The social status of families, in which the elderly live, is extremely bad and does not give the possibility of a quality life to the elderly in the third age. The research results indicate that we should work on the adoption of normative legal solutions in the field of protection from violence against the elderly and their application. In order to make this happen, comprehensive education of professionals through multisectoral cooperation is necessary. Keywords: abuse, the elderly, social causes.