Perceptions of institutional elder neglect in civil court

J Elder Abuse Negl. 2013;25(4):305-22. doi: 10.1080/08946566.2013.770309.

Abstract

Perception of institutional elder neglect (IEN) in civil court was investigated. Experiment 1 participants (N = 162) read an IEN trial summary in which alleged victim testimony was presented or not. Victim testimony increased the likelihood of ruling for the plaintiff, partially mediated by credibility of witnesses for each side. Experiment 2 (N = 68) included a condition with testimony from the victim's floor-mate. Likelihood of ruling for the victim: victim = floor-mate > no testimony, was mediated by perceived credibility of the plaintiff's case. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of alleged victim testimony in IEN cases.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Crime Victims / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Elder Abuse / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Homes for the Aged / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Humans
  • Institutionalization / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Male
  • Nursing Homes / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Perception*
  • Truth Disclosure