NRNP 6665 Week 2 Discussion: Ethical and Legal Foundations of PMHNP Care Example Ethical and Legal Foundations of PMHNP Care: Child and Elder Abuse Reporting
NRNP 6665 Week 2 Discussion: Ethical and Legal Foundations of PMHNP Care Example
Ethical and Legal Foundations of PMHNP Care: Child and Elder Abuse Reporting
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners’ responsibilities encompass clinical decision-making and navigating complex ethical and legal landscapes. This discussion focuses on the intersection of these two domains through the lens of child and elder abuse reporting. I aim to explore the ethical dilemmas and legal mandates shaping this critical practice area by conducting a targeted literature review. Based on four scholarly articles, this analysis will address key considerations for adult and child populations. Furthermore, the discussion will highlight the implications of these findings for PMHNP practice in North Carolina, where specific state laws guide mandatory reporting.
Topic Selection: Child and Elder Abuse Reporting
Child and elder abuse reporting represents a pervasive issue with profound ethical and legal ramifications. My choice of this topic stems from over 16 years of experience as a psychiatric mental health nurse, during which I encountered numerous cases involving vulnerable populations. The United States, like many other countries, faces widespread issues of child abuse, often manifesting in physical, sexual, emotional, or neglectful forms, with many children experiencing multiple types of abuse simultaneously (Liu & Vaughn, 2019).
Similarly, elder abuse is frequently underreported, with older adults particularly susceptible due to cognitive decline, self-neglect, and physical disabilities (Hall & Lichtenberg, 2024). Reporting such cases involves navigating definitions and standards set by various entities, including law enforcement, healthcare agencies, and social services, each may interpret abuse differently (Aday, Wallace, & Scott, 2017).
Literature Review: Ethical and Legal Considerations in Child and Elder Abuse Reporting
Ethical Considerations in Elder Abuse Reporting
Aday et al. (2017) conducted a study examining generational differences in attitudes toward elder abuse reporting. The findings revealed significant variability in ethical perspectives. Younger individuals were more likely to report abuse perceived as severe, such as sexual abuse, but hesitated when the abuse was financial. Older adults, on the other hand, often avoided reporting altogether, fearing potential retaliation or worsening of the abuse (Aday et al., 2017). This highlights the need for PMHNPs to educate communities about abuse definitions and reporting procedures while addressing cultural and generational nuances.
Ethical Considerations in Child Abuse Reporting
Mulya (2018) explored societal perceptions of child sexual abuse and the reluctance of some victims to report their experiences. The study illuminated how children often frame themselves as survivors rather than victims, opting not to disclose abuse due to stigma or mistrust. This underscores the PMHNP’s responsibility to build trust and create a safe environment for children to share sensitive information.
Legal Considerations in Elder Abuse Reporting
Hall and Lichtenberg (2024) examine financial exploitation (FE) among older adults, emphasizing its status as a critical public health issue. FE is defined as the illegal or improper use of an elder’s funds or property for personal gain, affecting between 5% and 11% of older adults annually(Hall & Lichtenberg, 2024).
The authors introduce the Successful Aging through Financial Empowerment (SAFE) program, which employs empowerment-based financial coaching to mitigate the impacts of FE. This intervention addresses the financial fallout experienced by victims and improves their emotional and mental well-being, as evidenced by reduced stress levels at a six-month follow-up. The program participants also reported high satisfaction with the services provided (Hall & Lichtenberg, 2024).
The SAFE program highlights the systemic barriers to addressing elder financial exploitation, such as underreporting, lack of resources, and the complexity of legal processes. These barriers are compounded by older adults’ reluctance to report abuse by trusted individuals due to fear of retaliation or further harm. The study underscores the importance of education and multidisciplinary approaches to enhance reporting mechanisms and prevent FE (Hall & Lichtenberg, 2024).
For Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs), the insights from this study are critical. PMHNPs can be pivotal