Community nurses' perceptions of elder abuse based on an ecological system model: A descriptive study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide the basic data for reinforcing community nurses’ competencies related to elder abuse by identifying their perception based on an ecological system model. Methods: This study was a descriptive study. Structured self-reported questionnaires were sent via email to Seoul community nurses from Nov. 17 to Nov. 31, 2021 and, after getting their consent, a URL survey was distributed for collecting data online. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 program by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Total perception of elder abuse was scored at 1.32±0.46 points out of 4. Among the individual characteristics, educational level (F=4.48, <i>p</i>=.013) and economic level (F=4.21, <i>p</i>=.016) were identified as variables with significant differences in perception of developmental abuse. Subjective health status negatively correlated with perception of spiritual abuse (r=-.15, <i>p</i>=.048). There were no significant variables among the family characteristics. Among the socio-cultural characteristics, elderly human rights positively correlated with total perception of elder abuse (r=.16, <i>p</i>=.031), sociocultural abuse (r=.23, <i>p</i>=.003), and spiritual abuse (r=.22, <i>p</i>=.003). Conclusion: It is necessary to increase the level of perception of elder abuse by community nurses to efficiently respond to the increasing elder abuse in the community.