Qualitative insights on help-seeking from older Australian women with lived experience of elder abuse.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We investigated the help-seeking behaviors of older Australian women who experienced elder abuse.

Methods

Participants were purposively recruited from the longitudinal Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy cohort. Adults 60 years and older who self-reported experiencing elder abuse within the past 12 months were eligible to participate in the study. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted between April and November 2024. Data were thematically analyzed.

Results

There were 17 participants (mean age 65.8, SD 4.5). All were Caucasian, healthy, cognitively intact, and independent. Thirteen (76.5%) had incomes <$35,000. Eleven (64.7%) did not seek help, citing stigma, victim-blaming, and feelings of shame as major deterrents. Despite th

SUBMITTER: Brijnath B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12771524 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature