Adult-Child to Older-Parent Coercive Control: A Hybrid Co-constructed Concept Analysis

Background In the absence of an established definition, the term filial coercive control is used to denote a relationship between an adult-child and their older-parent(s) which is characterised by a persistent pattern of controlling and abusive behaviour. This study explores how this phenomenon is understood in the literature by identifying and synthesizing the current state of knowledge of in this field of research. The knowledge generated from this concept analysis, along with the tacit knowledge of the author as a practitioner- researcher, was synthesised to produce a tentative conceptual framework. The distinctions between filial coercive control from psychological elder abuse are explained with the use of models and contrary cases. The hypotheses generated from this study will be used to guide semi-structured interviews with safeguarding social workers in a later qualitative study. Methods A scoping review methodology was adopted to guide the literature review, while a concept analysis methodology guided data extraction and analysis. Drwing on Rodgers’ evolutionary concept analysis method, a co-constructed research methodology was developed for this study. Results The concept of filial coercive control is understood in the context of the following antecedents: ageist norms, a parental relationship (both biological and non-biological), physical proximity and spatiality, along with the controlling characteristics and tendencies of the abusive adult-child. The defining attributes include the exercise of power through control, dependency and entrapment, isolation and confinement, and fear and intimidation. Through a process of reflective thematic analysis, the defining attributes were used to guide the construction of models and contrary cases to illustrate the findings. Conclusion Existing bodies of theory fail to adequately describe the phenomenon of filial coercive control. A tentative operational definition and a conceptual model are proposed that provide a starting point for future research and to help to inform professional practice and education.