Arabic-speaking older immigrants’ perceived acceptability of interventions for preventing elder abuse

Abstract

Objective: Although research has identified interventions to address risk factors for elder abuse, it is unclear which interventions are relevant to specific immigrant communities. This study examined how Arabic-speaking immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area perceived the acceptability of interventions for elder abuse and explored gender differences in these perceptions. Methods: Older women and men (N = 37) who self-identify as Arabic-speaking immigrants residing in the Greater Toronto Area rated the acceptability of 14 interventions. The literature describes these interventions as addressing the risk factors for elder abuse as reported at the levels of older adults, the family, their relationship, and the social environment. Four items, adapted from a validated measure, were used to assess the interventions’ acceptability. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (objective 1) and independent sample t-test (objective 2). Results: Arabic-speaking older immigrants perceived five interventions to prevent elder abuse in their community as highly acceptable: case management, community outreach, advocacy, community-outreach programs, and peer-support programs. Gender differences were found for four interventions: two interventions (case management and community outreach) targeted older adults, one intervention (education) targeted the family, and one (advocacy) focused on the social environment. Conclusion: Findings can inform service providers, managers, and policymakers about which interventions must be prioritized to address elder abuse in the Arabic-speaking immigrant community.