Date of Award

5-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Executive Leadership

First Supervisor

C. Michael Robinson

Second Supervisor

Cynthia P. Smith

Abstract

This purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the phenomenon of microaggressions and verbal and/or emotional abuse occurrence(s) toward aging women through the perceptions of trusted professionals. Using seven participants from diverse regions of the United States, interviews capturing rich data from the lived experiences of Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) experts, an interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to describe the meaning of ALCA professionals’ experiences and perceptions regarding abuse occurrence(s) from their involvement or observations of those most marginalized or oppressed population, aging women. Five themes emerged from this study: (a) insidious transactions, (b) definition interpretation, (c) trauma, (d) dignity, and (e) advocacy. This study’s ALCA experts believed microaggressions and verbal or emotional abuse recognition is important, and they advocate for aging women clients as a means to reduce this abuse burden. Recommendations include examining this study’s emerging themes for further knowledge and requiring a Medicare policy change to specifically fund the development of comprehensive training programs to build awareness and advocacy skills to combat microaggression and verbal or emotional abuse toward aging women.

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