Experiences of Elder Abuse in Pacific Island Communities of Aotearoa New Zealand: a Cultural Lens
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Experiences of Elder Abuse in Pacific Island Communities of Aotearoa New Zealand: a Cultural Lens Sandra Thaggard 1 Jed Montayre 4
& Juliet
Boon-Nanai 2
& El-Shadan
Tautolo 3
&
Received: 16 July 2020 / Accepted: 17 November 2020/ # Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract The aim of this study was to uncover some experiences and perceptions of elder abuse among New Zealand Pacific elders within their own communities. A qualitative design was used, in which data were collected and analysed, and meanings were ascribed, based on the cultural perspective and philosophical worldview of Pacific Island elders and the Fonofale model of holistic well-being. The Fonofale framework, congruent with a Pacific worldview, allowed for a guided understanding of abuse, as perceived by 50 older Pacific Island participants. In this study, the themes of abuse included psychological, financial, spiritual, neglect and cultural abuse in the form of disrespect. Importantly, spiritual and cultural abuse often overlaid the other forms, and intergenerational differences emerged as a prominent factor contributing to abuse. Shame, fear and loyalty negatively impacted help seeking behaviours. The Fonofale model of health and well-being was used to evaluate the findings, and inform evidence-based research that can guide healthcare professionals when addressing abuse within their own individual Pacific communities. Keywords Elder abuse . Pacific . Ageing . New Zealand . Fonofale model of health and
wellbeing . Talanoa
* Sandra Thaggard [email protected] Juliet Boon-Nanai [email protected] El-Shadan Tautolo [email protected] Jed Montayre [email protected] Extended author information available on the last page of the article
S. Thaggard et al.
Introduction This introduction aims to highlight the importance of examining elder abuse in this understudied yet expanding community in New Zealand. A brief and condensed, generalized picture of Pacific culture, together with the experiences and challenges of older Pacific people living in New Zealand are provided in this study. Elder Abuse Elder abuse is an extensive and serious issue, defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a ‘single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person’ (WHO 2008). Abuse of an older person can lead to serious physical injury, financial hardship and mental health decline, with long-term psychological consequences (Podnieks and Thomas 2017; Yunus et al. 2019). Currently, it is a pervasive and universal phenomenon (Williams et al. 2017). WHO reported the global prevalence of elder abuse to be between one and 10 % (WHO 2008), although a more recent meta-analysis of 52 empirical studies, spanning 28 countries, found a higher overall prevalence of 15.7% (Yon et al. 2017). Age Concern New Zealand (ACNZ) noted that one in ten people over age 65 have reported abuse in New Zealand (ACNZ 2018). However, with many cases
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