Program development using intervention mapping in primary healthcare settings to address elder abuse: A randomized controlled pilot study

Abstract

Background: Abuse of elderly women is of great concern and yet relatively little is known about interventions.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop and test a culturally informed treatment, based on Intervention Mapping (IM), for primary healthcare settings. The intervention targets family members of elderly women and seeks to reduce elder abuse.

Methods: N = 80 family members of elderly women were randomized to intervention or control. Elderly women completed assessment prior to randomization. Elder abuse was measured by self-reported frequency of neglect, physical, psychological, and financial abuse in the last 2 months across 16 items. Intervention included 4 sessions, each under 1 hr. At 2-month follow-up, elderly women completed an assessment. Linear mixed modeling was used for analyses.

Results: Significant reduction in frequency of psychological abuse and neglect was found in comparison to control, with trend effects for financial abuse (F = 127.12, p < .005; F = 95.4; p < .005; and F = 16.53, p < .07, respectively). Physical abuse was infrequent.

Conclusion: This culturally tailored intervention reduced elder abuse. Given its basis in IM, it is well-positioned for roll-out and testing in a larger randomized trial to study adoption, implementation, and sustainability in practice settings.

Keywords: culture; elder abuse; healthcare; implementation; intervention mapping.