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Volunteer commitment of seniors in the fight against mistreatment

Themes: Principal researcher

PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER:

Marie Beaulieu, Ph. D., University of Sherbrooke

RESEARCH TEAM:

Sophie Éthier, Ph. D., Laval University

Andrée Sévigny, Ph. D., Laval University

Julie Fortier, Ph.D., University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières

CHAIR PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT:

Monia D’Amours, research agent

Marie Crevier, Ph.D. student in gerontology

GRANTING AGENCY AND GRANT AMOUNT:

Initial phase: From the Chair’s funds.

Second phase: Quebec Network for Research on Aging (RQRV): $10 000

PROJECT COMPLETION DATES:

From October 2011 to the summer of 2013.

ROLE OF CHAIR IN THE PROJECT:

Leader of the project in collaboration with:

  • DIRA-Estrie

RESEARCH PROBLEM:

Although the importance of the work accomplished by volunteers is recognized, it is difficult to understand the role of this group of actors involved in the fight against mistreatment of older adults. Volunteers and structured associativity may appear on the desired continuum of services, but where do they stand exactly? More specifically, what is the contribution of volunteers in the organization of prevention, detection and intervention services?

GOAL OF THE PROJECT OR RESEARCH QUESTION:

In order to address concerns raised by the AEIFA-DIRA, and noting the lack of specific knowledge on the role of volunteers in the fight against the mistreatment of older adults, this project is laid out as an action-research project aimed at revealing knowledge on this issue, by means of observation and analysis of the representations that volunteers involved with mistreated older adults have of their role in the community.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. Document the nature and scope of activities carried out by volunteers who are involved with older adults subjected to mistreatment, and highlight the significance that they attach to their work.
  2. Document the place and role of volunteers on a continuum of actions against mistreatment.
  3. Document the forms of support offered by the organization to its volunteers.

MEHODOLOGY:

  • Research approach: exploratory, short-term, qualitative longitudinal study, which includes the following:
  • Literature review;
  • Development of the research protocol and ethics certification;
  • Recruitment of participants;
  • Individual, semi-structured interviews with volunteers, before and after their first interventions;
  • Group interviews (with managers, employees and trainee);
  • Data analysis;
  • Writing the research report.

PROJECT ADVANCEMENT:

This research project was completed in the summer of 2013. This project led to one report, two articles, two communications and one grant application, in 2013. With regard to the grant application, under the leadership of the Chair, a draft for a new research project was submitted to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) requesting a grant in the amount of $212,500 in October of 2013.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Beaulieu, M. (April 30, 2014). Reconnaître l’action bénévole dans la lutte contre la maltraitance envers les personnes aînées. Gala de l’AEIFA-DIRA. Sherbrooke (Québec).

Pelletier, C., Beaulieu, M., D’Amours, M., Crevier, M., Sévigny, A., Fortier, J., Carbonneau, H., Éthier, S., & Couturier, Y. (October 17-19, 2013). Volunteer activity in the fight against mistreatment. 42e réunion scientifique et éducative annuelle de l’Association canadienne de gérontologie. Halifax (Canada).

Beaulieu, M., D’Amours, M., Crevier, M., Sévigny, A., Carbonneau. H., Éthier, S., Couturier, Y., & Fortier, J. (June 23, 2013). Volunteer activity to counter elder abuse mistreatment. Critical issues. INPEA conference (World Elder Abuse Awareness Day). Seoul (Korea).

Beaulieu, M., & D’Amours, M. (May 13, 2013). L’engagement bénévole dans la lutte contre la maltraitance envers les personnes aînées. Rapport de recherche présenté aux membres du conseil d’administration de l’AEIFA-DIRA. Sherbrooke (Québec).

PUBLICATIONS:

Beaulieu, M., & D’Amours, M., & Crevier, M. (2013). L’engagement bénévole dans la lutte contre la maltraitance envers les personnes aînées. Rapport de recherche. Sherbrooke (Québec). 80 p.

Beaulieu, M., D’Amours, M., Crevier, M., Sévigny, A., Fortier, J., Carbonneau, H., Éthier, S., & Couturier, Y. (submitted on May 5, 2013, accepted in June 2013) Activités, rôle et encadrement des bénévoles engagés dans la lutte contre la maltraitance des personnes aînées : l’expérience de l’AEIFA-DIRA. Vie et vieillissement.

Beaulieu, M., D’Amours, M., Crevier, M., Sévigny, A., Fortier, J., Carbonneau, H., Éthier, S., & Couturier, Y. (2013). Les aînés engagés dans la lutte contre la maltraitance envers les personnes aînées au Québec. Vie et vieillissement, 10(4), 54-56.