This paper provides a data-based framework for understanding domestic mistreatment of older people by family members. Professionals (N = 228) were interviewed about their case experiences with neglect and abuse of the elderly. Most respondents worked with such cases on a regular basis, although neglect was more common than abuse. Several causes of mistreatment were suggested. It would appear that environmental contexts and situational problems serve to trigger such behavior that is primarily based in the flawed development of the perpetrator and in disordered family relationships.
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Hickey et al. (1981) studied this question.