scholarly journals The Critical Help-Seeking Role of Family, Friends, and Neighbors in the Lives of Elder Abuse Victims

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 628-628
Author(s):  
Marlene Stum ◽  
David Burnes

Abstract Elder abuse prevention and intervention is a complex puzzle. We focus on examining the typically invisible role, experience, and impact of nonabusing family, friends, and neighbors, or “concerned persons” in stopping elder abuse. Given the reality that most elder abuse goes unreported and unaddressed, it seems essential to understand if and how concerned persons can play a role in help-seeking for older victims, and to also understand the needs and issues faced by concerned persons as a consequence. First. Breckman presents evidence of the significant distress concerned person’s experience from knowing about elder abuse and trying to assist victims, and shares experience developing and implementing the first Elder Abuse Helpline for Concerned Persons in the U.S. Second, Fraga Dominguez et.al. present an important international perspective highlighting findings about concerned persons as users of a UK elder abuse helpline, their profile, the impact of helping, and variables relating to help-seeking. Third, Stum shares findings from a qualitative study of elder family financial exploitation related to what concerned family members were trying to accomplish by getting involved (motivating goals) and the resulting continuum of outcomes. Fourth, Kilaberia also explores the help-seeking experiences of concerned family members in elder family financial exploitation situations, specifically the range of tasks involved, and the impacts on the concerned family member’s individual health and well- The discussion led by Burnes will focus on understanding contributions of the research presented given the current state of the field, and offer suggestions for future research and intervention directions.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Randall P. Settoon ◽  
Sang H. Lee

Prior research focusing on the impact of individualistic orientations on the performance of cooperative behaviors has produced mixed results. Researchers have concluded that the self-focused orientation of individualists will lead them to be less cooperative than others. On the other hand, some scholars have argued that helping others is core to individualists’ self-concept and that competently assuming the role of help-giver is a source of intrinsic satisfaction. In this study, we test this proposition by examining individualistic orientations within employee help-seeking networks. Results from a sample of 107 employees within a regional medical center indicate that the level of individualism in helping-seeking networks is positively associated with help-seekers’ perceptions of support. Further, the results suggest that the relationship is stronger in dense networks. Implications of this work and directions for future research are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-466
Author(s):  
Jos Akkermans ◽  
Ricardo Rodrigues ◽  
Stefan T. Mol ◽  
Scott E. Seibert ◽  
Svetlana N. Khapova

PurposeThis article aims to introduce the special issue entitled “the role of career shocks in contemporary career development,” synthesize key contributions and formulate a future research agenda.Design/methodology/approachThe authors provide an introduction of the current state-of-the-art in career shocks research, offer an overview of the key lessons learned from the special issue and present several important avenues for future research.FindingsThe authors discuss how the special issue articles contribute to a better understanding of career shocks' role in contemporary career development, focusing on (1) conceptual clarity of the notion of career shocks, (2) career outcomes of career shocks, (3) mechanisms that can explain the impact of career shocks and (4) interdisciplinary connectivity.Originality/valueThis article offers a synthesis of the critical contributions made within this special issue, thereby formulating key ways to bring the field of career shocks research forward. It also provides new avenues for research.


Author(s):  
Silvia Fraga Dominguez ◽  
Jennifer E. Storey ◽  
Emily Glorney

AbstractThis study examined the characteristics and experiences of informal supporters of elder abuse victims, including family members, friends, and neighbors—referred to as concerned persons. The researchers utilized secondary data from a UK national elder abuse helpline to investigate the profile and help-seeking experiences (including the impact of helping) of concerned persons reporting abuse to the helpline. The researchers focused on one year of data (2017–2018), and 1623 records met inclusion criteria. Of these, 1352 were reported by a concerned person, and descriptive statistics are provided to describe this sample. The help-seeking experience was investigated using qualitative content analysis. Concerned persons were primarily female family members, often adult children of the victim and siblings of the perpetrator. They faced barriers to helping the victim, particularly in relation to formal services. Many also reported impact as a result of knowing about the abuse or helping the victim; particularly to their mental health and their relationship with the victim. Findings indicate that concerned persons often face substantial barriers and negative impact when they support elder abuse victims. There is a need to advance research on concerned persons and identify ways of effectively supporting them, given their essential role in facilitating elder abuse victims’ access to formal services.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S920-S920
Author(s):  
Tina R Kilaberia ◽  
Emma Fuhrman ◽  
Marlene Stum ◽  
Iris Freeman

Abstract Elder family financial exploitation (EFFE) has attracted the attention of scholars and professionals across disciplines. This qualitative study examines the experiences of help seeking by non-perpetrator family members with a focus on the role of social services. 15 in-depth interviews were examined in which social services were mentioned as being involved. Findings provide insight into the role and involvement of social services, whether wishes expressed by victims to participants made a difference in help-seeking, and gaps experienced. Participants described social services professionals as those who (1) received reports of exploitation; (2) provided education and served as a liaison with families; (3) conducted assessments, including cognitive assessment of elders; and (4) acted as connectors to other systems. In some cases, when elders were assertive about their wishes, they had results such as reporting exploitation or transferring power of attorney to non-perpetrator family members. In other cases, elders were prevented from taking such action because of undue influence by perpetrators, disregard of their wishes, due to being uninformed, or opposing helpful family members. Participants explained experienced gaps in two ways: by attributing responsibility to social services in terms of failure to believe victims, do meaningful cognitive assessments, and navigate family dynamics. On the other hand, participants were not able to clearly ascribe responsibility, and questioned whose fault it was, suggesting opportunities for improved systems functioning. Recommendations for improving the role of social services in addressing the help-seeking needs of concerned family members coping with EFFE follow.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 869-870
Author(s):  
Tina Kilaberia ◽  
Marlene Stum

Abstract Effective interventions are needed to address elder family financial exploitation (EFFE), one of the most prevalent types of elder abuse globally. This poster examines the unique and critical help-seeking role informal family support can play when faced with EFFE. We present a holistic case study that offers an understanding of one family’s successful help-seeking and resolution of the EFFE situation. The family drew on internal family and community supports and did not seek formal elder abuse services. The case stood out as unique relative to 23 family’s help-seeking attempts in a larger study of the meaning and experience of EFFE from the perspective of concerned family members (non-abusing/non-victims). The case summary and analysis are based on an in-depth interview narrative reflecting the subjective experience of a concerned family member who was directly involved in the EFFE situation (in-law relative to both the older victim and the perpetrator). Study findings reveal 5 interwoven themes related to help-seeking processes and outcomes: 1) honoring the victim’s wishes, 2) providing support and accountability for perpetrator, 3) restoring family relationships and functioning, 4) maintaining internal (family-based) control, and 5) engaging in family problem solving processes. The family’s help-seeking demonstrated three distinctive features: a) embracing their informal social support role, b) the interdependence of family members, and c) restorative justice principles. The findings raise questions about broadening the scope and continuum of EFFE intervention research and practices to recognize and support informal social intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4646
Author(s):  
Alexey A. Tinkov ◽  
Monica M. B. Paoliello ◽  
Aksana N. Mazilina ◽  
Anatoly V. Skalny ◽  
Airton C. Martins ◽  
...  

Understanding of the immediate mechanisms of Mn-induced neurotoxicity is rapidly evolving. We seek to provide a summary of recent findings in the field, with an emphasis to clarify existing gaps and future research directions. We provide, here, a brief review of pertinent discoveries related to Mn-induced neurotoxicity research from the last five years. Significant progress was achieved in understanding the role of Mn transporters, such as SLC39A14, SLC39A8, and SLC30A10, in the regulation of systemic and brain manganese handling. Genetic analysis identified multiple metabolic pathways that could be considered as Mn neurotoxicity targets, including oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, cell signaling pathways, and interference with neurotransmitter metabolism, to name a few. Recent findings have also demonstrated the impact of Mn exposure on transcriptional regulation of these pathways. There is a significant role of autophagy as a protective mechanism against cytotoxic Mn neurotoxicity, yet also a role for Mn to induce autophagic flux itself and autophagic dysfunction under conditions of decreased Mn bioavailability. This ambivalent role may be at the crossroad of mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis. Yet very recent evidence suggests Mn can have toxic impacts below the no observed adverse effect of Mn-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. The impact of Mn exposure on supramolecular complexes SNARE and NLRP3 inflammasome greatly contributes to Mn-induced synaptic dysfunction and neuroinflammation, respectively. The aforementioned effects might be at least partially mediated by the impact of Mn on α-synuclein accumulation. In addition to Mn-induced synaptic dysfunction, impaired neurotransmission is shown to be mediated by the effects of Mn on neurotransmitter systems and their complex interplay. Although multiple novel mechanisms have been highlighted, additional studies are required to identify the critical targets of Mn-induced neurotoxicity.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Tara Sims

BACKGROUND: The impact of paediatric upper limb difference may extend beyond the child themselves to their parents and other family members. Previous research has found that feelings of shock, numbness and loss are common amongst parents and that peer support can be a buffer against stress. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore the experiences of parents of children with limb difference, and the role of services and prosthetic devices in these experiences. METHODS: Nine parents of children with limb difference participated in either a group (n= 2) or individual (n= 7) interview. RESULTS: Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four themes – ‘grief and guilt’, ‘prosthesis as a tool for parental adjustment’, ‘support’ and ‘fun and humour’. CONCLUSIONS: Parents may employ coping strategies to help them adjust to their child’s limb difference, including use of a prosthesis, accessing support from statutory services and peers, and use of fun and humour within the family.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonghwa Kim ◽  
Wonseok Kang ◽  
So Hee Kang ◽  
Su Hyun Park ◽  
Ji Young Kim ◽  
...  

AbstractHepatic fibrogenesis is characterized by activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). The impact of ECM on TGF-β-mediated fibrogenic signaling pathway in HSCs has remained obscure. We studied the role of non-receptor tyrosine kinase focal adhesion kinase (FAK) family members in TGF-β-signaling in HSCs. We used a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mice model to evaluate the effect of FAK family kinase inhibitors on liver fibrosis. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression of its target genes; α-SMA, collagen, Nox4, TGF-β1, Smad7, and CTGF. Pharmacological inhibitors, siRNA-mediated knock-down, and plasmid-based overexpression were adopted to modulate the function and the expression level of proteins. Association of PYK2 activation with liver fibrosis was confirmed in liver samples from CCl4-treated mice and patients with significant fibrosis or cirrhosis. TGF-β treatment up-regulated expression of α-SMA, type I collagen, NOX4, CTGF, TGF-β1, and Smad7 in LX-2 cells. Inhibition of FAK family members suppressed TGF-β-mediated fibrogenic signaling. SiRNA experiments demonstrated that TGF-β1 and Smad7 were upregulated via Smad-dependent pathway through FAK activation. In addition, CTGF induction was Smad-independent and PYK2-dependent. Furthermore, RhoA activation was essential for TGF-β-mediated CTGF induction, evidenced by using ROCK inhibitor and dominant negative RhoA expression. We identified that TGF-β1-induced activation of PYK2-Src-RhoA triad leads to YAP/TAZ activation for CTGF induction in liver fibrosis. These findings provide new insights into the role of focal adhesion molecules in liver fibrogenesis, and targeting PYK2 may be an attractive target for developing novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of liver fibrosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grazia Ietto-Gillies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of major structural changes on the conceptualization of the transnational corporation (TNC) based on foreign direct investment (FDI) and on indicators of transnationality. Design/methodology/approach Analysis of three major structural changes which impact the current conception of transnationality. They are: the rise of digital companies; the increased role of finance in the economy; externalization of activities via non-equity modalities (NEMs) with an impact on FDI and on the labour market. Findings The paper finds that the current concept of transnationality needs widening to take account of companies with a low degree of fixed assets abroad such as the digital and the financial companies and those internationalizing via NEMs, as well as to take account of the evolving relationship between TNCs and labour. Research limitations/implications Future research along the lines proposed should consider: working explicitly with the new, inclusive concept of transnationality and arrive at an empirical estimate of the proposed indices of transnationality which modify and amplify the current United Nations Conference on Trade and Development indices. Social implications Useful for understanding the nature of transnationality in the twenty-first century and for developing policies. Originality/value The paper proposes a new concept of transnationality and of the TNC, one that allows for new ways of organizing direct business activities abroad. It also proposes broadening the list of indicators of transnationality.


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