Table 3 Themes and categories in the interviews
System based on ecological-systems framework | Themes | Categories | Examples of codings |
|---|---|---|---|
Microsystem level | Holding a superficial perspective on elder abuse | Denying the existence of self-related elder abuse | No observed abuse, only heard but not witnessed |
Insufficient understanding of the types | Refusing to feed, forced medication, hitting, verbal conflict | ||
Confusion about potential causes | Communication barriers, stubborn personalities, irrational behaviour of elders | ||
Limited knowledge of professional interventions | Separating parties, communication, and persuasion | ||
Enhancing nursing staff’s professionalism and empathy | Improving job competence | Communication skills, professional care skills, psychological support skills, safety protection skills | |
Practising empathy care | Standing in older adults’ shoes, listening and understanding, building trust | ||
Developing professional identity | Sense of responsibility, career commitment, job satisfaction | ||
Fostering psychological resilience | Positive mindset, adaptability, emotional regulation | ||
Mesosystem level | Strengthening institutional management capacity | Conducting professional training | Training content: advanced technical skills, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities Types of training: formal training programmes (workshops or online courses), informal learning opportunities (mentorship or peer learning) |
Setting rational work schedules | Fair rotation schedules, balanced workload distribution, and adaptive scheduling needs | ||
Formulating reasonable rules and regulations | Clear contractual agreements, zero-tolerance policy for abuse, trial periods for new staff, regular monitoring and reporting mechanisms, identification and emergency protocols | ||
Raising wages and benefits | Motivation through financial incentives, performance-based bonuses, linking wages to workload and responsibility, recognition through non-monetary benefits | ||
Creating a favourable physical environment | Comfortable and well-ventilated rooms, visibility and surveillance | ||
Macrosystem level | Enhancing the social support | Strengthening social attention | Regular social visits, volunteer activities, intergenerational involvement |
Promoting the development of the senior care industry | Strengthening workforce development needs policy and regulatory support | ||
Increasing seniors’ allowances | Economic independence for seniors, affordability of care services | ||
Enhancing oversight and legal protection | Strengthening regular inspections, improving legal frameworks for elder protection |