ELDER VICTIMIZATION--A PILOT FEASIBILITY STUDY

目前的建议是进行一项试点可行性研究，以确定评估老年人受害情况的最有效手段，其中不仅包括虐待老年人的行为，还包括陌生人实施的受害行为。 这项试点可行性研究的结果将使研究人员能够有效地进行一项基于人口的针对老年人的犯罪及其影响的全国性研究。 我们已经完成了初步研究，其中这种评估方法被用于电话（N=549）和面对面（N-36）的格式。 这些初步研究表明，该方法是可行的，灵敏度和准确度。然而，没有完成电话和面对面的策略与老年人的比较。 在拟议的可行性研究中，我们将评估修改现有方法的有效性，这些方法通过面对面和电话采访形式对犯罪受害者进行全国性调查研究。 此外，我们将评估使用同龄人和非同龄人访谈的相对有效性。具体而言，我们将调整用于衡量我们的青少年全国调查和全国妇女研究与老年人使用的虐待和攻击的战略。 将从参与率、披露率、费用和参与者满意度等方面衡量成果。 与现有的研究相比，这一建议专门针对虐待老人和陌生人受害的研究。 也就是说，现有的研究针对家庭虐待或刑事受害，但不是同时进行。 这是有问题的，因为有数据表明，不同形式的受害往往具有类似的风险因素，两种形式的受害的影响往往是重叠的。 因此，本研究将同时考虑家庭虐待和陌生人攻击。 需要回答的问题包括：对这一人群进行调查研究的最佳形式是什么（面对面还是电话;同龄人还是非同龄人）？什么因素影响该格式的选择（例如，受害类型）？与每个相关的后勤问题是什么（例如，成本、时间、强制性报告问题、隐私问题）？还有哪些其他相关因素与每一个相关联（例如，参与率、完成率、参与者经验评级）？

The present proposal is to conduct a pilot feasibility study to determine the most effective means by which to assess victimization in older adults, including not only elder abuse, but also stranger-perpetrated victimization. Findings from this pilot feasibility study will enable researchers to efficiently conduct a population-based national study of crime against elders and its effects. We have completed preliminary studies in which this assessment methodology was used in both telephone (N=549) and in-person (N-36) formats. These preliminary studies indicate that the methodology is feasible, sensitive and accurate. However, no comparison of telephone and in-person strategies with older adults have been completed. In the proposed feasibility study, we will evaluate the effectiveness of modifications to our existing methods of conducting nationally based survey research on crime victims via both in-person and telephone interview formats. In addition, we will evaluate the relative effectiveness of using age-peer and non-age-peer interviewers. Specifically, we will adapt strategies used to measure abuse and assault in our National Survey of Adolescents and the National Women's Study for use with older adults. Outcome will be measured in terms of participation rates, disclosure rates, cost, and participant satisfaction. In contrast to existing research, this proposal specifically targets both elder abuse and stranger victimization for study. That is, existing studies have targeted either domestic abuse or criminal victimization, but not both simultaneously. This is problematic in light of data which indicate that different forms of victimization often share similar risk factors, and effects both forms of victimization are often overlapping. Thus, this study will consider both domestic abuse and stranger assault. Questions to be answered include: what is the best format for survey research with this population (face to face vs. telephone; age peer vs. non-peer)? what factors affect the selection of this format (e.g., victimization type)? what are the logistical problems associated with each (e.g., cost, time, mandatory reporting issues, privacy concerns)? what other relevant factors are associated with each (e.g., participation rates, completion rates, participant experience ratings)?