Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

6-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Program

Social Welfare

Advisor

Daniel S.Gardner

Committee Members

Barbra Teater

Nancy Giunta

Subject Categories

Social Work

Keywords

elder abuse, exploratory study, primary health care, familial obligation, family physicians, social contexts

Abstract

Elder abuse is a globally recognized social problem with serious consequences. The most recent meta-analysis estimates the prevalence of elder abuse at 17%. Studies conducted in Asian countries suggest prevalence rates higher than the global average. Social stressors including alcoholism, unemployment, and poverty related to economic transitions, many of which apply in Mongolia, are associated with elder abuse. International studies have found that health care providers play critical roles in detecting cases of elder abuse. Due to universal access to primary care in Mongolia, family physicians are uniquely positioned to interact with potential victims of elder abuse. However, the extent to which family physicians in Mongolia perceive elder abuse is unclear, despite their frequent contact with potential victims in their medical practices. To explore social processes that increase older Mongolians’ vulnerabilities, I conducted an exploratory study of 24 family physicians using constructivist grounded theory methods. Findings from this study suggest that, according to family physicians, older adults in Mongolia are exploited in multiple ways due to enormous pressure to keep their families afloat during times of scarcity. Abandonment and isolation from important social contacts experienced in old age further enhance their vulnerabilities to abuse. Based on these findings, implications for policy, practice, research, and education for prevention of elder abuse that may have societal causes are recommended.

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