THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF THE STORIES OF ELDER ABUSE NARRATED BY DISTRICT NURSES

The aim of the present study was to assess the trustworthiness of prev iously reported stories about elder abuse narrated by 21 district nurs es (DNs) regarded as witnesses. Firstly, the stories were coded as to whether they were based on direct observation, hearsay or a mixture, a nd whether there were whole stories or story fragments. Secondly, they were coded and classified regarding a modification of the characteris tics of reality developed from statement reality analysis. The DNs' si ngle stories matched most of the characteristics. The results indicate that the DNs' stories are a reliable account of a personally experien ced real event. Witnesses' stories are important sources in revealing phenomena, such as elder abuse. It also seems important to develop usa ble methods further.