Perception and Experience of Abuse among Older Adults in a Rural Community in Nigeria
Dublin Core
Title
Perception and Experience of Abuse among Older Adults in a Rural Community in Nigeria
Subject
Abuse; experience; Nigeria; older people; perception;
quality of life
quality of life
Description
Background: Abuse of older adults is a global public health concern and
can be viewed as any action that undermines the dignity and respect to which
older individuals are entitled, with significant cultural connotations. Existing
research on older adult abuse and neglect has predominantly focused on
developed countries, leaving a paucity of empirical evidence from developing
contexts such as Nigeria.
Purpose: This study explored the perception of abuse among older adults,
its various forms, and the extent to which older people experience abuse.
Methods: A phenomenological study was conducted among 18 older adults
residing in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, selected
through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth
interviews using an interview guide with open-ended questions and analysed
using content analysis.
Results: The findings uncovered four themes representing the types of
abuse commonly experienced by older adults. These include: (1) Distress
caused by the sensual conduct of the younger generation; (2) Assault and
neglect; (3) Deprivation of rights and access to property; and (4) Structural/
institutional abuse by the governmental agency.
Conclusion: This study showed that elder abuse manifests in multiple
forms, including physical, emotional, financial, sexual, neglect, and
structural/institutional abuse, which are often rooted in socio-cultural
practices, economic hardships, and systemic failures. Therefore, measures
should be put in place to protect the rights of older adults. Also, prevention
and early detection of abuse should be given priority to make ageing a
pleasurable rather than an agonising experience for older adults.
can be viewed as any action that undermines the dignity and respect to which
older individuals are entitled, with significant cultural connotations. Existing
research on older adult abuse and neglect has predominantly focused on
developed countries, leaving a paucity of empirical evidence from developing
contexts such as Nigeria.
Purpose: This study explored the perception of abuse among older adults,
its various forms, and the extent to which older people experience abuse.
Methods: A phenomenological study was conducted among 18 older adults
residing in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, selected
through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth
interviews using an interview guide with open-ended questions and analysed
using content analysis.
Results: The findings uncovered four themes representing the types of
abuse commonly experienced by older adults. These include: (1) Distress
caused by the sensual conduct of the younger generation; (2) Assault and
neglect; (3) Deprivation of rights and access to property; and (4) Structural/
institutional abuse by the governmental agency.
Conclusion: This study showed that elder abuse manifests in multiple
forms, including physical, emotional, financial, sexual, neglect, and
structural/institutional abuse, which are often rooted in socio-cultural
practices, economic hardships, and systemic failures. Therefore, measures
should be put in place to protect the rights of older adults. Also, prevention
and early detection of abuse should be given priority to make ageing a
pleasurable rather than an agonising experience for older adults.
Creator
Joel Olayiwola Faronbi1
, Mercy Aladegboye2, Oluwaseun Lara Ariyo3, Bolaji Damilola Agboola3
, Mercy Aladegboye2, Oluwaseun Lara Ariyo3, Bolaji Damilola Agboola3
Source
https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v15i3.70200
Date
20 December 2025
Contributor
PERI IRAWAN
Format
PDF
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Collection
Citation
Joel Olayiwola Faronbi1
, Mercy Aladegboye2, Oluwaseun Lara Ariyo3, Bolaji Damilola Agboola3, “Perception and Experience of Abuse among Older Adults in a Rural Community in Nigeria,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11348.