Theorizing Low Levels of Reporting of Abuse of Older Immigrant Women. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roger, Kerstin Stieber; Brownridge, Douglas A.; Ursel, Jane
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 21:Number 5(2015:May)
• Page Start: 632
• Page End: 651
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: abuse -- aging -- immigrant -- older women -- reporting; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/1077801214545021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

Little research can be found describing abuse of older immigrant women, despite an increase in our aging population and increasing research on abuse of older adults. This article examines factors that may contribute to low levels of reporting of abuse of older immigrant women. The authors present empirical qualitative data collected through interviews and focus groups, which examined how people living in the community understand and define abuse of older adults. Four main themes will be discussed: first, the individual in a family and cultural community context; second, English as a foreign or second language as part of the mainstream; third, the question of "naming" abuse; and finally, age as a discriminator. Preliminary frameworks to better understand these findings are introduced. Recommendations for future research and programming are presented.