MARKERS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST OLDER ADULTS FROM THE NURSES’ PERSPECTIVE^*

ABSTRACT

Objective:  to identify the markers of violence against older adults from the nurses’ perspective.

Method:  a qualitative study conducted between June and September 2021 in the state of Paraíba (Brazil), with the participation of nine nurses in two focus groups. The empirical material was transcribed in full and transformed into a text corpus with similarity analysis.

Results:  in the central core of the maximum tree, it was possible to observe terms common to more than one typification of violence, such as: “cycle of violence”, “trust”, “dominate”, “psychological distress”. In physical violence: “fractures”, “break” and “throw”; in psychological violence: “threat”, “fear”, “shame”, “injury”, “vaginal discharge” and “vaginal”; in financial violence: “withdrawal”, “dependence” and “take”; in neglect: “lack”, “supply” and “hygiene”; and in abandonment: “depression”, “loneliness” and “sadness”.

Conclusion:  his research values Nursing as a science and profession, especially in the forensic area, by investigating violence against older adults. The nurses’ perception makes the Nursing Process more reliable and useful in identifying, reporting and solving incidents.

KEYWORDS: Older adults; Violence; Abuse against Older Adult; Forensic Nursing; Nursing Care

HIGHLIGHTS

Physical violence is more imminent than other forms.

Neglect and abandonment are interrelated among professionals.

Nursing professionals identify signs of violence.