Elder Abuse and Neglect in African American Families: Informing Practice Based on Ecological and Cultural Frameworks |
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| Authors: | Sheena R. Horsford BA José Rubén Parra-Cardona PhD Lori A. Post PhD Larry Schiamberg PhD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Family and Child Ecology , Michigan State University , Lansing, Michigan, USA horsford@msu.edu;3. Department of Family and Child Ecology , Michigan State University , Lansing, Michigan, USA;4. Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine , Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut, USA |
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| Abstract: | Despite the rapid growth of the elderly African American population in the U.S., elder abuse and neglect in African American families continue to be underdeveloped areas of study. This article presents an ecological and culturally informed framework for the study of elder abuse in African American populations. The model was developed based on Bronfenbrenner's Human Ecological Theory. The model identifies risk factors associated with different systems that have an influence on the lives of African American families. Cultural protective factors also are identified in the model. The model is intended to provide an understanding of elder abuse and neglect in African American families by considering the influence of contextual factors such as the legacy of slavery, social exclusion, and structural segregation and racism. Specific suggestions for practice are proposed according to cultural strengths of African American communities as well as the ecological premises of the model. |
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| Keywords: | elder abuse and neglect African American populations contextual risk factors cultural strengths |
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