Modernization and elder abuse in an Arab-Israeli context

The study examines two interrelated indicators of modernization - urbanization and social isolation - in relation to elder abuse among Arab-Israelis, a population in rapid transition from agrarian to urban culture. The analysis matches a sample of abused elders (N = 120) with a control group from the same population (N = 120). Urbanization is measured by community type and social isolation is assessed by five measures of social network. The analysis finds that Arab-Israeli elderly persons who had been abused were more socially isolated than nonabused elders. In addition, abused elders who resided in cities had lower network scores than abused elders from rural and semiurban localities. The study provides preliminary empirical backing to modemization explanations of elder abuse and neglect.