Gender Differences among Abused Older African Americans and African American Abusers in an Elder Abuse Provider Agency

Abstract

Objectives of this study were to examine gender differences among mistreated older African Americans and their perpetrators. The analysis was based on substantiated elder abuse cases in Illinois. Gender differences regarding six forms of abuse were examined as were demographic and barrier differences among victims and perpetrators. Overall, older African Americans were more susceptible to financial exploitation and intentional neglect. Other than intentional physical neglect, there were no significant gender differences between male and female victims in their mistreatment (χ ² = 6.66, p =.010). Both male and female abusers were equally engaged in caring for their aging relatives and more likely to be children of the victims and living with them. Females (75.0%) more than males (67.0%) were abusive to aging relatives. Findings show that older Blacks, especially males, are subject to mistreatment from relatives who may be overwhelmed by caring for them and may benefit from intervention programs.