scholarly journals Dehumanization of Older Family Members: Novel Determinants of Elder Abuse Proclivity by Caregivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 322-322
Author(s):  
E-Shien Chang ◽  
Joan Monin ◽  
Daniel Zelterman ◽  
Naomi Isenberg ◽  
Becca Levy

Abstract Elder abuse affects one in six older persons globally. Three limitations converge to impede progress in prevention: most research is victim- rather than perpetrator-based; the reliance on explicit, self-reported factors; and failure to account for psychological factors that motivate abuse in the first place. The current study will be the first to address these gaps by examining whether family caregivers’ dehumanization of older persons, or the denial of humanness to older persons as one of the most hateful age stereotypes, could explain elder abuse proclivity. Implicit dehumanization of older persons was measured by a novel implicit-association-test developed for this study. Explicit dehumanization was measured by a semantic differential question widely used in the literature. We used the reliable and validated 8-item Caregiver Abuse Screen to measure elder abuse proclivity. In the final survey of 585 caregivers, dehumanization was found to be prevalent with 51% of the caregivers implicitly and 31% explicitly dehumanizing older persons. As predicted, implicit and explicit dehumanization uniquely contributed to elder abuse proclivity (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.02-1.50, p=.03) and (OR=1.26, 95% CI=1.05-1.51, p=.01), respectively, after adjusting for relevant covariates including caregiver burden, and caregivers’ and care-recipients' health. Also as predicted, implicit dehumanization improved the prediction of abuse proclivity above and beyond the explicit dehumanization of older persons and caregiver burden. Socio-etiological models of elder abuse perpetration and corresponding prevention design should consider the inclusion of dehumanization as a key risk factor for abuse proclivity in family caregivers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 89-89
Author(s):  
E-Shien Chang ◽  
Joan Monin ◽  
Daniel Zelterman ◽  
Becca Levy

Abstract Considering that elder abuse affects one in six older persons worldwide, a need exists to identify factors that predict this abuse. Previous studies have found that ageism operates at both structural (i.e., societal-level stigmatizing views toward older persons) and individual levels (i.e., negative age beliefs) to affect health. However, it was not known whether and if so, how these two levels work together to impact perpetrators committing elder abuse. Thus, examining the mechanism between ageism and elder abuse was the aim of the current study. We hypothesized that structural and individual ageism would simultaneously predict elder abuse. In addition, following Stereotype Embodiment Theory, the impact of structural ageism on elder abuse would be mediated by individual ageism. In Sample 1, participants described their proclivity to abuse older people if they could do so without punishment (n=1,580). In Sample 2, family caregivers described actual abuse of their older care recipients (n=400). Overall, elder abuse proclivity (33% in Sample 1) and perpetration (56% in Sample 2) were prevalent. As hypothesized, structural ageism and individual ageism simultaneously predicted elder abuse proclivity and perpetration. Also as predicted, individual ageism significantly mediated the association between structural ageism and elder abuse in both samples. This the first study that examined the mechanistic pathways between structural and individual levels of ageism in the context of elder abuse. Effective solutions to prevent elder abuse should incorporate upstream interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of ageism.


Author(s):  
Pieter Van Dessel ◽  
Jan De Houwer ◽  
Anne Gast ◽  
Colin Tucker Smith

Prior research suggests that repeatedly approaching or avoiding a certain stimulus changes the liking of this stimulus. We investigated whether these effects of approach and avoidance training occur also when participants do not perform these actions but are merely instructed about the stimulus-action contingencies. Stimulus evaluations were registered using both implicit (Implicit Association Test and evaluative priming) and explicit measures (valence ratings). Instruction-based approach-avoidance effects were observed for relatively neutral fictitious social groups (i.e., Niffites and Luupites), but not for clearly valenced well-known social groups (i.e., Blacks and Whites). We conclude that instructions to approach or avoid stimuli can provide sufficient bases for establishing both implicit and explicit evaluations of novel stimuli and discuss several possible reasons for why similar instruction-based approach-avoidance effects were not found for valenced well-known stimuli.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Hongyun Lyu ◽  
Ningjian Liang ◽  
Zhen Guo ◽  
Rogelio Alejo Rodriguez

In this study we examined the differences in implicit collective self- esteem between Gelao and Han teenagers, using the Implicit Association Test. We also explored the relationship between participants' implicit and explicit collective self-esteem with the Implicit Association Test and the Explicit Collective Self-Esteem Scale. Participants were 169 teenagers residing in Gelao regions in China. The results showed that both Gelao and Han participants had an implicit collective self-esteem effect (i.e., tended to associate their own ethnic group with positive words and the other ethnic group with negative words), and this effect was significantly higher among Gelao than among Han participants. Further, scores on the importance-to-identity subscale of the Explicit Collective Self-Esteem scale were significantly higher in the Gelao versus the Han group. The correlation coefficients between implicit and explicit collective self-esteem for both groups were very low. The significance of the study findings is discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maddalena Marini ◽  
Pamela D. Waterman ◽  
Emry Breedlove ◽  
Jarvis T. Chen ◽  
Christian Testa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To date, research assessing discrimination has employed primarily explicit measures (i.e., self-reports), which can be subject to intentional and social desirability processes. Only a few studies, focusing on sex and race/ethnicity discrimination, have relied on implicit measures (i.e., Implicit Association Test, IAT), which permit assessing mental representations that are outside of conscious control. This study aims to advance measurement of discrimination by extending the application of implicit measures to multiple types of discrimination and optimizing the time required for the administration of these instruments. Methods Between September 27th 2019 and February 9th 2020, we conducted six experiments (984 participants) to assess implicit and explicit discrimination based on race/ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, weight, and age. Implicit discrimination was measured by using the Brief-Implicit Association Test (B-IAT), a new validated version of the IAT developed to shorten the time needed (from ≈15 to ≈2 min) to assess implicit mental representations, while explicit discrimination was assessed using self-reported items. Results Among participants (mean age = 37.8), 68.6% were White Non-Hispanic; 69% were females; 76.1% were heterosexual; 90.7% were gender conforming; 52.8% were medium weight; and 41.5% had an advanced level of education. Overall, we found implicit and explicit recognition of discrimination towards all the target groups (stronger for members of the target than dominant groups). Some exceptions emerged in experiments investigating race/ethnicity and weight discrimination. In the racism experiment, only people of Color showed an implicit recognition of discrimination towards the target group, while White people were neutral. In the fatphobia experiment, participants who were not heavy showed a slight implicit recognition of discrimination towards the dominant group, while heavy participants were neutral. Conclusions This study provides evidence that the B-IAT is a valuable tool for quickly assessing multiple types of implicit discrimination. It shows also that implicit and explicit measures can display diverging results, thus indicating that research would benefit from the use of both these instruments. These results have important implications for the assessment of discrimination in health research as well as in social and psychological science.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Conti ◽  
Marco Clari ◽  
Maeve Nolan ◽  
Eva Wallace ◽  
Marco Tommasini ◽  
...  

Background: Caregiver burden (CB) is a consequence of providing care to people with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, there is a lack of clarity about the influence of secondary conditions of care recipients on family caregivers. Secondary conditions refer to the physical and psychological complications that can occur after SCI and lead to increased hospitalization and reduced functionality, quality of life, and social participation. Objective: To assess the impact of physical and psychological secondary conditions of people with SCI on the perceived burden of family caregivers. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study of 56 dyads of family caregivers and individuals with SCI in two urban spinal units in Italy and Ireland. Care recipients completed a toolset consisting of demographic information and assessments of functional, physical, and psychological health. Caregivers completed a multidimensional measure of CB. Bivariate data analysis was used. Results: No significant differences between centers were identified. CB was found to be related to physical secondary conditions and functional independence but not to mental health of care recipients. Bladder dysfunction and urinary tract infections influenced all dimensions of CB, whereas pressure injuries influenced only the time-dependent dimension. Level and completeness of injury and duration of caregiving increased CB. Conclusion: Findings indicate the value of a reduction in secondary conditions not just for individuals with SCI but also for their family caregivers. To reduce the individual and family burden of secondary conditions, a two-pronged, multidimensional approach, focusing on self-management for care recipients and psychoeducational support for caregivers, is required.


2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 675-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke Dewitte ◽  
Jan De Houwer

We used a variant of the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and explicit reports to examine the assumption that attachment anxiety and avoidance are related to proximity and distance goals. Results confirmed that attachment avoidance was associated with a stronger implicit motivation for and positive evaluation of distance goals in attachment relationships. This was found both at the implicit and explicit levels and both in a threat and non‐threat context. Attachment anxiety was associated with proximity goals only when measured explicitly, but not when goal activation was measured implicitly. Our findings highlight the importance of considering both implicit and explicit goal representations when studying motivational processes in the context of attachment, and suggest that the IAT can provide a useful tool for investigating implicit motivational constructs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-310
Author(s):  
Kelly A. Malcolmson ◽  
Lisa Sinclair

Implicit and explicit stereotypes toward the title Ms. were examined. Participants read a short description of a target person whose title of address varied (Ms., Mrs., Miss, Mr.). They then rated the person on agentic and communal traits and completed an Implicit Association Test. Replicating earlier research ( Dion, 1987 ), at an explicit level, women using the title Ms. were seen as less communal than individuals using the title Mrs. or Mr. and more agentic than individuals using the titles Mrs., Mr., or Miss. This time, however, women using the title Miss were also seen as less communal and more agentic than women using the title Mrs. but not as agentic as women using the title Ms. On the implicit measure, Ms. was relatively more associated with agentic than communal traits compared to Mrs. but not to Miss.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 317
Author(s):  
Viktorija Grigaliūnaitė ◽  
Lina Pilelienė

Research background: Endeavouring to develop healthy societies is a primary goal in many countries. As smoking is a major problem of public health, lowering the extent of smoking is one of the conditions for developing a healthy society. Based on the research revealing that the pairing of the product with negative stimuli enhances the possibility of negative reaction to the product as negative stimulus transfers it’s meaning to the product, tobacco packaging was labelled with negative smoking-related pictures illustrating the danger of smoking. Nevertheless, the extent of smoking is still large in many countries. Hence, the effect of negative smoking-related pictures has been the subject of intense debate within the scientific community.Purpose of the article: The aim of this research is to determine the effect of negative smok-ing-related pictures on the both implicit and explicit attitude toward smoking.Methods: For the purpose of determining the effect of negative smoking-related pictures on the both implicit and explicit attitude toward smoking, Implicit Association Test and ques-tionnaire survey were provided. The questionnaire was elaborated based on the analysis and synthesis of scientific literature.Findings & Value added: The theoretical analysis substantiated the influence of attitude toward the product on consumer purchase decisions. Nevertheless, people do not always want to reveal their opinion, hence traditional marketing research methods for measuring explicit attitude are not sufficient as they are often not objective. Therefore, neuromarketing research methods complement traditional marketing research methods by providing more objectivity. Consequently, the Implicit Association Test and traditional questionnaire research are applied for the empirical research, revealing the effect of negative smoking-related pictures on the both implicit and explicit attitude toward smoking. The recommendations for the usage of negative smoking-related pictures on purpose to influence attitude toward smoking and consumer purchase behaviour are substantiated.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document