Understanding Differences in Opinion and ‘Facts’ Between Ombudsmen, Police Chiefs, and Nursing Home Directors

ABSTRACT Past research has considered whether those involved in responding to elder abuse perceive and respond to elder abuse in similar ways. The current research builds on this past research by considering whether differences between the groups are based on opinions or misperceptions. Surveys of 119 police chiefs and 73 nursing home directors from four states, and 205 ombudsmen from twenty-six states were gathered and analyzed. Results suggest that the differences between the groups are based more on misinformation (e.g., beliefs about crime patterns and the quality of nursing homes) rather than opposing philosophies (e.g., beliefs about issues that stem from individuals' values).

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