The purpose of this study was to identify dimensions of elder mistreatment in Chinese and Korean immigrant communities and to increase sociocultural understanding of such mistreatment by elucidating the complexities of abuse embedded in unique social and cultural contexts. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 local professionals working primarily in Asian elderly advocacy, and six focus group discussions were conducted involving 60 community members in the San Francisco Bay area. Five dimensions of elder mistreatment were identified: psychological abuse, neglect by a trusted person, financial exploitation, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. In general, fewer Korean community member participants reported having observed physical or financial abuse than Chinese groups, but they reported greater knowledge of situations involving psychological abuse, neglect by a trusted person, and sexual abuse. The contexts of cultural influences and immigration and acculturation were salient themes that shaped participants subjective perceptions and beliefs about elder abuse and hence help-seeking behaviors. © 2014 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

cultural issues prevention intervention elder mistreatment Race and ethnicity

cultural anthropology perception immigrant Chinese Asian immigration human community middle aged Aged emotional abuse physical abuse interview United States foreign worker Young Adult male female Review cultural factor sexual abuse help seeking behavior adult elder abuse social class finance Korea