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Polyvictimization and Elder Abuse

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Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan

Abstract

Polyvictimization in later life concerns mistreatment by multiple perpetrators as well as mistreatment involving different types of abuse, co-occurring or sequentially. This chapter includes both a rationale and history for the application of the term to older adults and the definition of polyvictimization in later life. In addition, we discuss highlights concerning what is presently known about polyvictimization in later life. We describe how polyvictimization may be used relevant to the socio-ecological framework as well as other frameworks. We explain how polyvictimization at younger ages differs from polyvictimization in later life and include a case example involving an older victim that illustrates abuse dynamics as well as links between elder abuse and other forms of interpersonal violence, including polyvictimization. Finally, we make suggestions for how our definition of polyvictimization in later life may be used in research, practice, and policy arenas.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Gerontology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    Pamela B. Teaster

  2. Klawsnik & Klawsnik Associates, Canton, MA, USA

    Holly Ramsey-Klawsnik

Authors
  1. Pamela B. Teaster
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  2. Holly Ramsey-Klawsnik
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pamela B. Teaster .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, Alliant International University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Robert Geffner

  2. School of Health and Human Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensbo, Greensboro, NC, USA

    Jacquelyn W. White

  3. Dept of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    L. Kevin Hamberger

  4. Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

    Alan Rosenbaum

  5. Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA, USA

    Viola Vaughan-Eden

  6. Education and Research, Zero Abuse Project, St. Paul, MN, USA

    Victor I. Vieth

Section Editor information

  1. Global Health Care Center, Fordham University, New York, NY, USA

    Mary Beth Morrissey

  2. Professor of Medicine/Geriatrics, Psychiatry, Dentistry, Clinical Nursing, & Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA

    Thomas Caprio

  3. Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    L. Kevin Hamberger

  4. Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

    Alan Rosenbaum

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Teaster, P.B., Ramsey-Klawsnik, H. (2020). Polyvictimization and Elder Abuse. In: Geffner, R., White, J.W., Hamberger, L.K., Rosenbaum, A., Vaughan-Eden, V., Vieth, V.I. (eds) Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_89-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_89-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-62122-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-62122-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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