Psycho-emotional consequences of hospitalized elder abuse from older patients’ perspective

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: The present study aimed to identify and describe psycho-emotional consequences of hospitalized elder abuse from older patients’ views. Methods: An inductive qualitative content analysis research was conducted at various wards of six educational hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. A total of 16 elderly patients aged 60 years and older were selected using purposive sampling and data gathering was done using semi-structured, individual interviews. The data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method proposed by Elo and Kyngas (2008). Results: The Psycho-emotional consequences of hospitalized elder abuse were reflected in three main categories, namely feeling of insecurity, aggression, and learned helplessness. Conclusion: Hospitalized elder abuse could be accompanied with immediate Psycho-emotional consequences, such as feeling of insecurity and aggression, as well as persistent and long-term consequences, such as helplessness. Thus, monitoring and training the healthcare staff and raising their awareness regarding consequences of hospitalized elder abuse are necessary to prevent this phenomenon.