In partnership with the World Health Organisation, composition of an overview of the mistreatment of older persons and public policies based on a corpus of high-level scientific articles.
PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER:
Mikton, C. Ph. D. WHO, Geneva
RESEARCH TEAM:
Marie Beaulieu, Ph.D (University of Sherbrooke)
Yon, Yongjie, WHO, Copenhagen
Bekieselbach, Berit, WHO, Geneva
Shawar, Yusra (Johns Hopkins University), Washington D.C. campus
CHAIR PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT:
Kevin St-Martin, Research assistant
Julien Cadieux Genesse, Research Chair Coordinator
GRANTING AGENCY AND GRANT AMOUNT:
Research Chair Funds
PROJECT COMPLETION DATES:
Summer 2020 to Winter 2021
ROLE OF CHAIR IN THE PROJECT:
Co-researcher
RESEARCH PROBLEM:
During the Second World Assembly on Ageing held in Madrid in 2002, the fight against the mistreatment of older adults obtained worldwide political recognition with the adoption of the Madrid International Action Plan on Ageing. Article 110 of this plan calls for ‘the elimination of all forms of neglect, abuse and violence of older persons’, an objective of all signatory nations.
Despite its non-binding aspect, the signatory nations present their progress to the United Nations every five years.
Although its recognition as a social problem has grown in the last 15 years, the extent of older adult mistreatment is still a subject of debate and research as several methodological factors affect the evaluation of its prevalence.
For example, the populations surveyed, the forms and types of mistreatment included in the studies, the tools used, and the world’s regions evaluated generate considerable variations in research results. The resulting methodological limitations make it difficult to generalise the results and compare studies.
These methodological challenges also arise concerning the knowledge of risk and vulnerability factors in mistreatment, the effects of mistreatment on the physical, psychological and social health of older adults, and the obstacles and incentives encountered when seeking help in a situation of mistreatment.
Therefore, ‘meta’ research work is valuable in identifying valid and common findings from a scientific viewpoint.
GOAL OF THE PROJECT OR RESEARCH QUESTION:
The goal of this project is:
- Write an overview synthesising existing knowledge of mistreatment (extent, risk factors, consequences, etc.).
- Determine missing elements or gaps in existing documentation.
- Propose recommendations for the development of policies to counter the mistreatment of older adults on a worldwide scale.
MEHODOLOGY:
Since 2018, the Chair has compiled scientific articles of the highest quality on the mistreatment of older adults and related issues such as ageism, intimidation, etc.
First, 70 meta-analyses, systematic reviews and scoping reviews will be analysed in accordance with a schedule validated by the members of the research team.
Next, a more in-depth analysis under pre-determined thematics such as risk factors, the extent of the phenomenon, and obstacles and incentives to seeking help will be completed to synthesise the state of knowledge.
Finally, the research will offer recommendations concerning the development and implementation of public policies in the wake of deficiencies identified in the analyses.
PROJECT ADVANCEMENT:
Preparatory work for scientific literature analysis underway
COMMUNICATIONS:
N.a.
PUBLICATIONS:
N.a.