Prevalence and influencing factors of elder abuse tendency among Chinese caregivers working in Gansu Province nursing homes: A cross-sectional study

Geriatr Nurs. 2024 Dec 28:61:463-469. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.12.021. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Background: Elder abuse is a global public health and human rights concern that is predicted to increase with the rapid increase in the elderly population in China.

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of elder abuse tendency and factors related to such a tendency among caregivers working in nursing homes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study comprising 412 caregivers from nursing homes was conducted.

Results: The results indicated that the prevalence of elder abuse tendency among caregivers working in nursing homes was 73.5%. This rate was influenced by gender, marital status, work experience, employment modes, whether one had participated in relevant training, caregiver burden and the level of perceived social support (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The study revealed the factors influencing elder abuse tendency among caregivers working in nursing homes and the relationships between elder abuse tendency, caregiver burden, and perceived social support.

Keywords: Caregiver burden; Caregivers; Elder abuse tendency; Nursing homes; Perceived social support.