184471 Impairment and abuse of older adults in long-term care in Michigan: Evidence from structural equation modeling

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Thomas Conner, PhD , Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Artem Prokhorov, PhD , Department of Economics, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
Connie Page, PhD , Statistics and Probability, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Lori Ann Post, PhD , College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Yu Fang, MS , Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Yimin Xiao, PhD , Statistics and Probability, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Purpose To use structural equation modeling on new survey data to better understand the role of impairment in elder abuse by paid caregivers in long term care. Methods Data is from a random digit dial survey of Michigan residents who are adult relatives of, or persons responsible for, an older person in long term care. Using structural equation modeling we created the latent variables physical impairment, cognitive impairment, and abuse susceptibility. We use both kinds of impairment, age, and behavior problems to predict abuse susceptibility. Results The model shows that physical impairment directly increases abuse susceptibility but cognitive impairment is a significant risk factor only if it produces behavior problems. The direct effect of age on susceptibility is significant but negative when controlling for impairment. Conclusions The pattern of causes of abuse in long term care is more complicated than previously thought. This has important implications for caregiver training.

Learning Objectives:
1. Analyze the role of impairment in elder abuse in long-term care settings. 2. Discuss changes to what was previously known regarding the pattern of causes of abuse. 3. Identify implications for caregiver training.

Keywords: Elderly, Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Thomas Conner (Ph.D., Stanford University) specializes in interpersonal behavior, social psychology of well being and health, and research methods. His current interests include the study of intimate partner violence, measurement theory and practice, and stratification systems in small face-to-face groups. He also occasionally dabbles in demography and helped produce the website at http://midata.msu.edu/.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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