Hostility and coping capacity as risk factors of elder mistreatment

In the present study we investigate whether, in addition to established ris k factors: some personality traits of the victims are associated with elder mistreatment. Identified victims of chronic verbal aggression (n = 37), ph ysical aggression (n = 38) and financial mistreatment (n = 55) as well as e qual-sized control groups were interviewed. The control groups were matched on age, gender, and the characteristics that have been identified as risk factors for the types of elder mistreatment listed above. All respondents w ere over 65 years of age. In a standardised interview, commonly used instru ments were utilised to assess coping style, locus of control, perceived sel f-efficacy and hostility. To analyse the data multivariate logistic regress ion analyses were performed. The study found that, chronic verbal aggressio n was associated with having less control over problem situations and a hig her tendency to react aggressively when feeling angry or frustrated. Physic al aggression was associated with a passive and avoidant way of handling pr oblems. Financial mistreatment was associated with having negative beliefs of self-efficacy and a tendency to turn aggression and frustration on thems elves. These results indicate that in addition to the established risk fact ors, some personality traits of the victims have to be considered as risk f actors of elder mistreatment. The way people handle problems makes them mor e or less vulnerable to becoming victims of elder mistreatment. Furthermore , the results indicate that elder mistreatment may be associated to some ex tent with long-standing interaction patterns among family members. These fi ndings are important for prevention of and intervention in cases of elder m istreatment.