Elder abuse in families: results of the "Bonner HsM study"

Central aspects of intra-familiar violence and of their causes are discusse d. The first results of the study "Handeln statt MiBhandeln" (HSM, Action a gainst Violence) are presented. Data were collected in Bonn, Germany, by th e means of a postal questionnaire. Approximately 10 percent of old people r eported experiences of violence in their families during the past five year s. Most often mental violence and financial deceit were mentioned. Experien ces of violence mainly caused psychological and emotional problems. If at a ll, victims searched for support in their immediate social network. Persons who were married or of bad physical health had often experiences of violen ce. Significant difference between victims and non-victims were detected fo r experiences of violence, the victims' subjective well-being, the quality of the families' external relations and the victims' socio-economic status.