An international collaborative study comparing Swedish and Japanese nurses' reactions to elder abuse.

AIM: This paper reports an analysis of aggregated data from two national studies on Swedish community-based nurses' and Japanese Public Health Nurses' responses to hypothetical elder abuse cases. BACKGROUND: Elder abuse is an under-researched area despite being globally recognized as a serious and escalating problem. Yet research, adding needed socio-cultural perspectives to current knowledge has been limited. METHODS: Eighty-one community-based nurses in Sweden and 124 Public Health Nurses in Japan responded to a questionnaire based on three hypothetical elder abuse cases. Swedish and Japanese results (data collection 2006-2007) were combined and the aggregated data were analysed using manifest and qualitative content analyses. RESULTS: Nurses' response patterns in the aggregated data were similar across all three hypothetical cases and within themes Awareness, Assessment and Intervention. However, there were also noteworthy differences between Swedish and Japanese responses, e.g. Swedish responses were generally practical, action oriented and involved increased levels of suspicion and personal intervention to achieve increased control; whereas Japanese responses concerned better understanding that involved the family members and their situation, focusing on interventions grounded in collaboration. CONCLUSION: Despite cultural differences, responses of Swedish and Japanese nurses were very similar which points to a global 'humanness' of the problem of, and nurses' responses to, elder abuse. Results endorse the value of international collaborations that give information and inspiration to nursing colleagues across cultural boundaries. Results also give hope that global tools for elder abuse assessment and intervention can be developed.

Perceptions of elder abuse: voices of professionals and volunteers in Sweden--an exploratory study.

The aim of this study was to examine perceptions of elder abuse in groups representing organizations considered potential sources of help and support for abused elders in Sweden. Focus group interviews were conducted with representatives from: the police; primary care; municipal eldercare; a church; a caregiver support organization; and a crime victim support organization. Data were analysed through qualitative content analysis. Although participants discussed elder abuse from the position of their respective organization/group, analysis revealed a preponderance of shared perceptions between groups. A descriptive framework of elder abuse was developed and four themes emerged including: good intentions in abusive situations; older generation's responsibility for elder abuse; failing to report abuse; and prevention of abuse. Findings included perceptions of victim blaming and a tolerance for elder abuse. Participants perceived that anyone could be provoked to abuse, and that abusers can also be considered victims in abusive situations. Further research on elder abuse perceptions is recommended among involved family members, in order to address elder abuse in ways that will allow recognition among both those providing and those receiving assistance.