Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect
Volume 26, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 244-269

Elder Mistreatment, Culture, and Help-Seeking: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Older Chinese and Korean Immigrants (Article)

Lee Y.-S.* , Moon A. , Gomez C.
  • a School of Social Work, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, United States
  • b Department of Social Welfare, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • c Health Equity Institute, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, United States

Abstract

This study explored and compared the salient sociocultural characteristics that influenced elder mistreatment and help-seeking behaviors among older Chinese and Korean immigrants. Results from qualitative, in-depth focus groups with 30 participants revealed that elder mistreatment is a culturally laden construct, and core values of traditional culture and acculturation are significant contextual factors that profoundly affect the perceptions of elder abuse and receptivity of interventions. Older Korean participants, compared to their Chinese counterparts, demonstrated stronger influence of hierarchy and cultural beliefs in exclusive family ties and gender norms, and were less likely to disclose abuse. Implications for culturally based interventions are also discussed. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

immigration/acculturation elder mistreatment culture Help-seeking

Index Keywords

Korea human Aged ethnology Humans psychology Cross-Cultural Comparison Asian Americans male Asian American female Aged, 80 and over very elderly cultural factor prevention and control elder abuse patient attitude Cultural Characteristics Patient Acceptance of Health Care crime victim attitude to health Crime Victims
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84899719205&doi=10.1080%2f08946566.2013.820656&partnerID=40&md5=7a08fdcfe7b8a793135625839a9766bf
DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2013.820656
ISSN: 08946566
Cited by: 21
Original Language: English