A review of literature exploring the possible causes of abuse and neglect in adult residential care

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of empirical research, which explores possible causal and risk factors linked to abuse or neglect in residential care facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Electronic database searches were conducted to identify and synthesise studies reporting on empirical research aimed at exploring causal and/or risk factors associated with abuse or neglect in adult residential care services. Sample characteristics, design characteristics and outcome data were extracted from each paper. This information was then collated and summarised. Each study was evaluated using Sale and Brazil’s (2004), cross-paradigm framework of trustworthiness and rigour.

Findings

In all, 17 papers, reporting on 15 separate research studies, met the inclusion criteria for this review. Results revealed that research in this area has utilised a diverse range of methodological approaches to explore abuse and/or neglect within the context of residential services for older adults and adults with learning disabilities. Possible causal and risk factors identified were separated into those that operated at a cultural or organisational/environmental level and those that operated at an individual or interpersonal level.

Originality/value

While there are limitations associated with presenting a review of such a diverse group of studies, this paper presents a valuable synthesis of the empirically derived causal and risk factors linked to the abuse and neglect of adults in care. Additionally, readers are able to obtain a comprehensive overview of the quality of empirical research in this area. Finally, a number of applied implications and future research directions are highlighted, which may contribute to the development of further research and ultimately to improvements in residential care standards and a reduction in future instances of abuse and neglect.

Citation

Hutchison, A. and Stenfert Kroese, B. (2015), "A review of literature exploring the possible causes of abuse and neglect in adult residential care", The Journal of Adult Protection, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 216-233. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-11-2014-0034