Development of a culture sensitive prevalence study on older adults violence: qualitative methods contribution
| Published date | 13 April 2015 |
| Pages | 126-138 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-11-2014-0036 |
| Date | 13 April 2015 |
| Author | Ana Paula Gil,Ana João Santos,Irina Kislaya |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Adult protection |
Development of a culture sensitive
prevalence study on older adults violence:
qualitative methods contribution
Ana Paula Gil, Ana Jo~
ao Santos and Irina Kislaya
Professor Ana Paula Gil is a
Research Co-ordinator, Ana
Jo~
ao Santos and Irina Kislaya
are Research fellows, all are
based at Department of
Epidemiology, National Health
Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge,
Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this pap er is to reflect on how qua litative approac hes can improve
a prevalence study on o lder adults’ viole nce. The paper descr ibes how qualitati ve data can help
frame a complex and multidimensional problem, such as older adults’ violence, within the culture
where it happens and therefore preven t two risks present i n prevalence stud ies: underestima tion and
overestimation.
Design/methodology/approach – To adequately measure violence and vi olent behaviours the
authorsfirst conducted fourfocus groups with the targetpopulation – olderadults aged 60 and over – and13
in-depthinterviews with olderadult victims of violence. Throughcontent analysisof focus groups and in-depth
interviews the authors sought to understand how violence is perceived, defined and limited by the general
population and by victims.
Findings – By employing qualitative methods the authors were able to operationalise violence, decide upon
and select specific behaviours to measure, rephrase questions and develop strategies to approach the
general population through telephone interviews.
Research limitations/implications – The qualitative approaches helped reduce participants bias in the
prevalence study and therefore to minimise the risks of underestimation and overestimation.
Originality/value – The study exemplifies how assessing quantitatively to a sensitive subject requires
taking into account the perspective of the target population through a qualitative approach.
Keywords Violence, Older people, Research, Family context, Prevalence, Qualitative, Qualitative method
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The population-based prevalence studies on violence developed over recent decades,
especially in Europe and Anglo-Saxon countries, vary in conceptual and operational definitions
and study designs, with inevitable impacts on prevalence estimates (Cooper et al., 2008;
De Donder et al., 2011). Although some systematic reviews developed in the past decade
identified this conceptual and methodological diversity (Cooper et al., 2008; De Donder et al.,
2011), an internationally adopted concept definition is still lacking. The growth of prevalence
studies, as indicated by Biggs and Haapala (2010), is not necessarily accompanied by the
conceptual development of the problem, and the field has largely stood still. These authors
consider that increased interest in the subject has influenced and, in some cases, blurred the
issues of definition and conceptual development.
On the other hand the target populations perception and understanding of the problem might
also affect prevalence rates. What one perceives to be “normal” family conflict, part of a
relationship dynamic and what one perceives to be violent behaviour, outside those boundaries
can vary from cultural and social context (WHO/INPEA, 2002).
This work was supported by the
Foundation for Science and
Technology (Fundac¸
~
ao para a
Cie
ˆncia e Tecnologia) in Portugal
(grant PTDC/CS-SOC/110311/
2009).
PAGE 126
j
THE JOURNAL OF ADULT PROTECTION
j
VOL. 17 NO. 2 2015, pp. 126-138, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1466-8203 DOI 10.1108/JAP-11-2014-0036
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