While research is illuminating characteristics of elderly that are associated with mistreatment, far less research has investigated characteristics of the perpetrator that are involved in elder mistreatment cases.

To address the characteristics of elder mistreatment's perpetrators in a population of community-dwelling elders.

A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 80 subjects aged 65 years and older, with sufficient cognitive ability to complete the interview. Elderly were asked about several characteristics of mistreatment's perpetrators. Indicators of Abuse Screen (IOA) was used to evaluate abuse.

Findings show that 13.8% of the participants suffered from elder mistreatment, with a mean IOA's score of 8.35. According to subtypes, 10% reported psychological, 2.5% physical and 1.3% financial abuse. Abuse was recurrent and the victim's reactions were passive in all cases.

Perpetrators were family members in all cases, with being a partner in 63.6%, a child in 18.2%, a sibling in 9.1% and a stepdaughter in 9.1% of cases. They were men in 72.7% of cases and their mean-age was 64.09 years. Financial difficulties and psychological problems were reported in 54.5% and 36.4% of perpetrators, respectively. Perpetrators were most likely living with the victims (P = 0.009). Partners were the perpetrators of half of the psychological abuse, and the totality of the physical and financial abuse. Abusive marital relationships were significantly associated with the perpetrator (P = 0.04).

Our findings suggest that the cause of elder abuse is rarely unique, and that this phenomenon is consequent to many pre-existing underlying problems affecting both elderly and perpetrators.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.