[Violence against the aged within the family: results of studies by the "Bonner HsM (treating vs. mistreating) Study]. / Gewalt gegen alte Menschen in der Familie: Untersuchungsergebnisse der "Bonner HsM-Studie".

Central aspects of intra-familiar violence and of their causes are discussed. The first results of the study "Handeln statt Misshandeln" (HSM, Action against Violence) are presented. Data were collected in Bonn, Germany, by the means of a postal questionnaire. Approximately 10 percent of old people reported experiences of violence in their families during the past five years. Most often mental violence and financial deceit were mentioned. Experiences of violence mainly caused psychological and emotional problems. If at all, victims searched for support in their immediate social network. Persons who were married or of bad physical health had often experiences of violence. Significant difference between victims and non-victims were detected for experiences of violence, the victims' subjective well-being, the quality of the families' external relations and the victims' socio-economic status.

[Elderly patients in family practice: a contribution to gerontologic attitude research]. / Alte Patientinnen in der Hausarztpraxis: ein Beitrag zur gerontologischen Einstellungsforschung.

184 family doctors responded to a questionnaire concerning their attitudes toward female geriatric patients. They were questioned about their attitudes in general towards these patients and, in particular, towards patients suffering from hypertension and coronary heart disease. Attitude scores were gained from two attitude scales. The results did not confirm the existence of negative stereotypes as predicted in the theory of "professional ageism". In our sample subjects showed a mainly neutral to positive attitude when regarding geriatric patients in general, the only negative aspects being heightened inflexibility and reduced cognitive abilities. In addition, we found a correlation between positive attitudes and the variables of quality of doctor-patient contact and specialized training in geriatric care. The attitudes towards specific patients were even more positive. When comparing patients with hypertension or coronary heart disease, we found that these groups were treated differently by the doctors: hypertension patients are seen in a more positive light and in fact require less therapeutic effort. Therefore, contrary to the theory that professional ageism results in less therapeutical attention, it would appear that it is influenced by the doctors' attitudes toward the disease and not just the geriatric patients in general.