Elder family financial exploitation: Family relationships are never the same

Abstract Millions of families are affected by elder family financial exploitation (EFFE), but the consequences for lifelong intergenerational family relationships and family functioning remain largely unexamined (i.e., parent/child, siblings). This study examines the consequences of experiencing EFFE on the quality of family relationships from the perspective of non-victim, non-perpetrator concerned family members (CFMs). Data from a larger EFFE mixed-methods study were utilized. A voluntary sample of 28 CFMs who had experienced EFFE participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews and brief surveys. Analysis included identifying quality of family relationship themes from data related to differences EFFE has made in their family. Participating CFMs were primarily adult children of older victims, and siblings of the primary perpetrators. The findings reflect three patterns of changes in quality of family relationships between the CFMs and other family members, including: (a) Restoring trust and recovery within the family, (b) Alliances and taking sides, and (c) Estrangement and cutoff. While families were never the same after experiencing the exploitation, for some was a healing process to accept the family situation and restore and repair trust. Redefining who would be family moving forward was a focus for some families when perpetrators and CFMs took sides and formed allies with others. In the most dramatic changes, siblings, parents and others became cutoff and isolated from other family members. While a loss of relationship quality was common, strengthening of relationships also occurred. Understanding EFFE from an ecological family systems perspective can help to inform needed EFFE interventions, both processes and outcomes.