The Lived Experience of the Abused Elderly People in Bishoftu Town: A Phenomenological Study
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Date
2012-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research was undertaken with the objective of describing the lived experience of the
abused elderly people in Bishoftu town, Ethiopia. The research was designed based on the
philosophy that reality is constructed and emanates from the individual's ilmer world. Hence, a
qualitative & phenomenological design was adopted. Six participants (3 females and 3 males)
took part in this research by adopting a standardized screening tool and a non-probability
sampling procedure. Accordingly, the meaning attached to aging had been affected by the
environment and psychological abuse was identified as the most agonizing type of abuse. Family
members being major abusers, home was the setting where most elder mistreatments took place.
Regarding gender, males and females have had a different experience of abuse. As age increases,
people become cautious about 'death' and ' spirituality'. Prayer, politeness, and patience had been
identified as coping mechanisms to deal with abusive situations. The conclusion was that elder
abuse is a multifaceted issue which should be addressed by considering the biological,
psychological, economic, spiritual, and socio-cultural dimensions that underlie it and the
differences and commonalities among the elderly. In general, the research has an implication for
social work practitioners, future researchers and policy makers who are interested to work around
the issue of ageing in general and the issue of elder abuse in particular.
Key Words: Elderly, ageism, population aging, lived experience, elder abuse, victim, perpetrator,
risk/actors, setting.
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Keywords
Elderly, ageism, population aging, lived experience, elder abuse, victim, perpetrator, risk/actors, setting