Domestic violence against aged persons: aggressive acts committed by individuals suffering from mental distress

Abstract

The objectives of this exploratory, qualitative study were to identify the relationship between violence against aged persons and the aggressor’s mental status; and analyze the implications of violence against aged persons by relatives suffering from mental distress. The study was performed in the metropolitan region of Salvador-Bahia, based on reports of intrafamily violence against aged persons filed in four police stations. The study subjects were aged persons who had filed reports of intrafamily violence by relative aggressors with mental illness. The interviews were performed between August of 2005 and April of 2007, and four categories emerged: family breakdown; financial exploitation/losses; coping with violence because of affection/love felt for the aggressors; and social maladjustment. It is important to clarify and adequately approach mental disease related to domestic violence against aged persons, as it involves situations that are usually chronic, with prior evidence of acts that are often denied or poorly handled.

Descriptors: Health of the Elderly; Nursing; Domestic Violence;  Mental Health.