Measuring attitudes toward elder abuse

Pittman, Dianne,1969- (1995) Measuring attitudes toward elder abuse. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (5MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

This paper discusses the inherent difficulties in defining and measuring the elder abuse construct, describes existing definitions and measurement techniques, and proposes an effective measure of attitudes toward elder abuse. -- This is a pilot study intended to develop a tool to measure attitudes toward elder abuse. It is assumed that these attitudes reflect beliefs about elder abuse as a social problem. -- Stones (1994) found that 33% of the variance in scores on Stones' Elder Abuse Survey Tool (EAST) could be explained by attitudinal differences between respondents. The purpose of the present study was to produce a questionnaire that could measure these differences in attitude toward elder abuse. The Elder Abuse Attitude Test (EAAT) was the result. This study is an attempt to validate the Elder Abuse Attitude Test and determine some of its properties. -- Two hundred and fifty seven people agreed to complete a questionnaire containing both the EAAT and 31 additional items that investigate attitudes and beliefs. The questionnaire was found to be both reliable and valid. We suggest further surveys using the EAAT as a measure of social attitudes toward elder abuse and possibly a reflection of desired action in research, treatment and prevention.

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