Factors Contributing to Incidence of Harm to Self and Others: Report

This report examines the factors contributing to adult abuse, particularly focusing on the elderly population. It highlights social and cultural influences, such as isolation, decreased societal contribution, and lack of governmental support, which lead to increased vulnerability. The report discusses how reduced mental capacity and dependence on others make the elderly susceptible to various forms of abuse, including emotional, financial, and physical. A case study of an 82-year-old woman, Mrs. Bridget, illustrates these factors, showing how emotional vulnerability and financial control by a partner can lead to abuse and neglect. The analysis underscores the importance of understanding these complex factors to address and prevent adult abuse. References to relevant studies are also provided.

Running head: ADULT ABUSE
Adult abuse
Name of the student
University name
Author’s note

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ADULT ABUSE
Task 1B
Factors contributing to incidence of harm to self and others
There are a number of social and cultural factors which contribute towards the
development of miserable condition in the elderly. In this context, the aged population are often
isolated from the mainstream society owing to their decreased capacity to contribute in
significant activities. This results in the elderly population suffering from major depression
arising out of isolation and neglect. Additionally, the lack of sufficient support from the state and
federal government agencies along with inadequate policies and programs can result in some of
the older adults being neglected (Jirik, S. and Sanders, 2014).
With increasing age the views and the perceptions possessed by the older adults are
affected by the world in general (Coid et al. 2014). As per their views they are no more liked or
required by the people surrounding them. Additionally, with old age the thinking and decision
making attributes of the people are affected making them more dependent on others. The
reductions in the plausible mental capacities make them vulnerable and easily prone to be
cheated by others (Zanarini et al. 2015). The cultural factors which could be taken into
consideration over here are the difference in ideologies possessed by the older people which
make them prisoners of the ethically wrong components of the society. They look at everything
from a compassionate angle and draw emotional attachment towards every other person
attending to them.
Here, we could refer to the case study of Mrs. Bridget was an 82 year old English lady
and was living with one of her old friends Mr. Y. The woman in question over here has been
subjected to a vast number of atrocities including physical, sexual, emotional and financial
contexts. The agency looking after the care concern of Mr. Bridget has mentioned that she has
been unwell and would be frequently be admitted to the hospital due to fall and alcohol
addiction. The support user over here that is Mrs. Bridget had mentioned that she felt
emotionally vulnerable in the absence of Mr. Y. The analysis of her present condition depicted
that she had slight dementia and would not remember accurately most of the phenomena which
had happened with her.
The lady had some support in the form of domestic chores and was also supported
through community care practitioner. However, the picture which emerged over here was that

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ADULT ABUSE
the lady was fully controlled by her partner Mr. Y who had full control over here financial
resources. Therefore, the support user here could not avail much of the care services owing to
the financial and emotional abuse in the hands of her partner. The carer agent has reported that
the woman did not have any control over her financial resources and would fall prey in the hand
of Mr. Y would often control most of her finances. The woman was also sexually and
emotionally tortured by Mr. Y who would often shout at her but she would still value him owing
to the emotional vulnerability which she had.

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References
Coid, J., Petruckevitch, A., Feder, G., Chung, W.S., Richardson, J. and Moorey, S., (2011).
Relation between childhood sexual and physical abuse and risk of revictimisation in women: a
cross-sectional survey. The Lancet, 358(9280), pp.450-454.
Jirik, S. and Sanders, S., (2014). Analysis of elder abuse statutes across the United States,
2011–2012. Journal of gerontological social work, 57(5), pp.478-497.
Zanarini, M.C., Frankenburg, F.R., Reich, D.B., Hennen, J. and Silk, K.R., (2015). Adult
experiences of abuse reported by borderline patients and Axis II comparison subjects over six
years of prospective follow-up. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 193(6), pp.412-416.