2.4 Elder Abuse and Neglect Literature in Asia
Cultural values need to be taken into account in defining what is considered to be
abusive or negligence behavior. Certain cultures may be less willing to report abuse
and/or neglect or even accept the help offered. The kinds of roles different cultural
groups have for the elders in their communities and how these perceived roles play a
part in determining abusive, negligence behavior remain largely to be answered.
Soneja’s (2001) research on elder abuse in India revealed five key factors
associated with abuse and neglect-namely lack of value system and negative attitudes
towards older persons, inadequate housing facilities, space and living arrangements,
lack of adjustment and lastly financial and mental dependence of the elderly on their
families. Nagpaul (1997) found similar results in relation to elder abuse among
Indians in India. The consequences of urbanization have had profound effects on
families in India to the extent that traditional cultural values such as the veneration of 29
the old is now giving way to more abusive and negligence situations in the context of
family care-giving