1
|
Nobels A, De Schrijver L, Van Landuyt M, Vandeviver C, Lemmens GMD, Beaulieu M, Keygnaert I. "In the End You Keep Silent": Help-Seeking Behavior Upon Sexual Victimization in Older Adults. J Interpers Violence 2024; 39:2318-2343. [PMID: 38149594 DOI: 10.1177/08862605231220017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Sexual violence is considered a prominent mental health problem. Exposure to sexual victimization during lifetime has been linked to mental health problems in old age. Research in adult victims has shown that they experience many barriers for disclosure and seeking professional help upon sexual victimization. However, information on help-seeking behavior in older victims of sexual violence is non-existent. With this study we aim for a better understanding of help-seeking behavior upon sexual violence in older adults. We used a mixed methods approach with an explanatory sequential design. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews with a random sample of 227 sexual violence victims of 70 years and older living in Belgium. Quantitative data were triangulated with qualitative data from 15 in-depth interviews with older victims. We found that up to 60% of older sexual violence victims never disclosed their experiences and 94% never sought professional help. Help-seeking is a complex process comprising several phases, which are affected by strong feelings of shame and self-blame, ageist premises and taboos about sexuality. In the end, most victims choose to cope on their own. Occasional disclosure only happens decades after the sexual violence took place. Older victims do not spontaneously disclose to healthcare workers but expect professionals to initiate the conversation. In conclusion, few older victims disclose or seek professional help upon sexual victimization. Healthcare professionals working with older adults need capacity building through training, screening tools, and care procedures to initiate conversation on sexual violence, and to detect signs, prevent, mitigate and respond to sexual victimization in older adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Nobels
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, International Center for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lotte De Schrijver
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, International Center for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Vlaamse Vereniging van Klinisch Psychologen, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mira Van Landuyt
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, International Center for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Vandeviver
- Department of Criminology, Criminal Law, and Social Law, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gilbert M D Lemmens
- Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Head and Skin-Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marie Beaulieu
- School of Social Work, Research Chair on Mistreatment of Older Adults and Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Ines Keygnaert
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, International Center for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Women's Clinic, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ruisch JE, Havermans DCD, Gielkens EMJ, Olff M, Daamen MAMJ, van Alphen SPJ, van Kordenoordt M, Schols JMGA, Schruers KRJ, Sobczak S. Posttraumatic stress disorder in people with dementia: study protocol. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2320040. [PMID: 38488137 PMCID: PMC10946268 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2320040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is considered an independent risk factor for dementia. Despite the (clinical) evidence that PTSD is associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia, studies on its prevalence and clinical manifestation are limited, and their quality is affected by the lack of a structured method to diagnose PTSD in this population. The primary aim of the current study is to validate the 'TRAuma and DEmentia' interview as a diagnostic tool for PTSD in people with dementia and to test feasibility of EMDR treatment for people with PTSD and dementia.Methods: This prospective multi-centre study is divided into two parts. In study A, 90 participants with dementia will be included to test the criterion validity, inter-rater reliability and feasibility of the 'TRAuma and DEmentia' interview. In study B, 29 participants with dementia and PTSD will receive eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy by a trained psychologist, and 29 participants with dementia and PTSD will be placed on the waiting list control group.Conclusion: This study aims to improve the diagnostic process of PTSD and to assess the effects of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing treatment in people with dementia living in Dutch care facilities.Trial registration: NL70479.068.20 / METC 20-063 / OSF registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/AKW4F.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. E. Ruisch
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Envida, Care for Older People, Department of Treatment and Support, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - D. C. D. Havermans
- Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Heerlen-Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- TanteLouise, Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands
| | - E. M. J. Gielkens
- Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Heerlen-Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Department of Psychology, Personality and Psychopathology Research Group (PEPS), Brussels, Belgium
| | - M. Olff
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, the Netherlands
| | - M. A. M. J. Daamen
- Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Cicero, Department of Treatment and Guidance, Brunssum, the Netherlands
| | - S. P. J. van Alphen
- Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Heerlen-Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Department of Psychology, Personality and Psychopathology Research Group (PEPS), Brussels, Belgium
| | - M. van Kordenoordt
- Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Heerlen-Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Zuyderland Care, Sittard, the Netherlands
| | - J. M. G. A. Schols
- Envida, Care for Older People, Department of Treatment and Support, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - K. R. J. Schruers
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Heerlen-Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - S. Sobczak
- Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Heerlen-Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Research Center Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Science, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|