EXAMINING THE NATURE AND ROLE OF FAMILY SYSTEM INTERACTIONS AND ELDER FAMILY FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION

Abstract Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory, this paper contributes insight into family processes associated with elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). Processes involve “everyday” reciprocal interactions in the family microsystem between and among elder victims, perpetrator family members (i.e. adult children), and involved non-perpetrator family members (i.e. adult children, in-laws). Qualitative data from a purposeful sample of 28 non-perpetrator/non-victim family members who had experienced EFFE were thematically coded and analyzed. The findings suggest eight intergenerational family processes are relevant for understanding EFFE: a) parent/child resource exchange patterns, b) negotiating a “fair” use of resources, c) quality of parent/child and sibling relationships, d) family of origin functioning and dynamics (e.g. trust, respect, closeness), e) communication patterns, f) alliances and taking sides, g) role negotiation, and h) physical interactions. Consistent definitions and quality measures relevant for parent/adult child relationships over the life course and in later life developmental stages are needed next steps.

debt is highly related to well-being in retirement among a growing number of older Americans. We focus on pre-retirees because these individuals have time to earn an income and plan ahead before they commit to a fully retired lifestyle. Utilizing data from the 2015 National Financial Capability Study, we identified the secured and unsecured debt that influences retirement planning among a national sample of pre-retirees, aged 51 to 61 years. Regression and mediation analyses were used to examine the relationship between debt and retirement planning and to identify the mediating effect of having a retirement account on the relationship between unsecured and secured debt and retirement planning. Our results indicated that mortgage debt and credit card debt were negatively associated with retirement planning. Having a retirement account is positively associated with retirement planning and it also mediates the relationship between credit card debt, specifically, and retirement planning. In conclusion, we urge individuals and financial planning executives to take time during the pre-retirement years to assess various forms of debt and determine how it is affecting their retirement planning objectives. And policy-makers should address the challenges faced by indebted pre-retirees.

THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF RETIREMENT AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN RETIREMENT TIMING
Michelle Silver 1 , 1. University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Retirement is an ever-evolving, dynamic, and complex social construct we associate with the end of one's career. For some the term is a bad word and a term that needs to be retired, while others can't wait to retire and enjoy the good life. This paper examines a brief history of retirement and theoretical work from feminist gerontology, while focusing on gender differences in the social construction of retirement and policy implications of 10 different government pension plans. In doing so, it looks at policy implications associated with the standard retirement age tied to public pension plans in the United States, Canada, and the European Union. Findings indicate that women live longer than men in each country, yet women retire earlier and receive lower pensions than men. As the landscape surrounding women's work experiences changes and concerns about gender equity in salaries and workplace compensation continue to be raised, this paper extends the concerns to raise important questions about inequities in retirement. Elder family financial exploitation (EFFE) is widespread and increasing. The effect is devastating, causing significant financial losses, reducing health and well-being of elders, and disrupting family systems. Research reveals that most (90%) perpetrators are family members or trusted others and researchers typically focus on identification of the problem, rather than understanding how and why exploitation occurs within the family unit. Furthermore, limited consensus exists regarding a theoretical understanding of the complexities of EFFE. Theory-driven, empirical explanations of how and why EFFE transpires are urgently needed to enhance and deepen intervention and prevention efforts. In this symposium, we extend both theory and research by using a common theoretical lens to present research findings from three distinct EFFE studies. The first paper reviews the current literature on EFFE and theory and introduces Bronfennbrenner's bioecological Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) model as an under-utilized, but useful framework for understanding EFFE. The second paper reports on findings from in-depth interviews with non-perpetrator family members who experienced EFFE and will highlight complex intergenerational family systems processes in PPCT. The third paper highlights findings from a national study of substantiated and investigated cases of EFFE in which family member perpetrators were designated as surrogate decision makers. The fourth paper shares results from a qualitative study of family member POAs and how components of the PPCT model can be interpreted for use by helping professionals assisting families. We will also focus on the opportunities and challenges of developing theoretically sound EFFE research and the implications for improving practice and policy.

ELDER FINANCIAL ABUSE IN FAMILIES: EXPANDING THEORY AND RESEARCH
Guided by Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory, this paper contributes insight into family processes associated with elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). Processes involve "everyday" reciprocal interactions in the family microsystem between and among elder victims, perpetrator family members (i.e. adult children), and involved nonperpetrator family members (i.e. adult children, in-laws). Qualitative data from a purposeful sample of 28 nonperpetrator/non-victim family members who had experienced EFFE were thematically coded and analyzed. The findings suggest eight intergenerational family processes are relevant for understanding EFFE: a) parent/child resource exchange patterns, b) negotiating a "fair" use of resources, c) quality of parent/child and sibling relationships, d) family of origin functioning and dynamics (e.g. trust, respect, closeness), e) communication patterns, f) alliances and taking sides, g) role negotiation, and h) physical interactions. Consistent definitions and quality measures relevant for parent/adult child relationships over the life course and in later life developmental stages are needed next steps.

. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Princeton, New Jersey, United States
A systematic review of elder family financial exploitation (EFFE) literature from the past five years reflects limited use or consensus of theoretical perspectives. In this paper, we propose using Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory to frame the dynamic, interrelated factors associated with EFFE. Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory, specifically the PPCT model includes Proximal processes, Person characteristics, Contextual systems, and Time. Proximal processes are increasingly complex interactions between individuals (e.g., family communication). Person characteristics include demand (e.g., gender, age), resource (e.g., education), and force (e.g., temperament) characteristics affecting interactions. Contextual levels drawn from Bronfenbrenner's original model (e.g., micro, meso, exo, and macro) emphasize the effect of interrelated systems on development. T refers to Time, including changes occurring in time (e.g., longitudinal) and over time (e.g., historical). Collectively, the PPCT model provides a framework for understanding the iterative, complex factors linked to EFFE.

ELDER FAMILY FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION BY POWER-OF-ATTORNEY AGENTS THROUGH THE LENS OF BRONFENBRENNER'S PPCT MODEL
Virginia B. Vincenti 1 and Ashton Chapman 2 , 1. University of Wyoming,Laramie,Wyoming,United States,2. Social Grove,Inc.,Joplin,Missouri,United States This paper presents a subset of qualitative data from a phenomenological study of 3 men and 17 women (N=20) from families with designated power of attorney (POA) agents who allegedly perpetrated elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). Participants were aged 22 to 63 (M = 43.5) with varying educational and income levels. The study explored EFFE by POA within Bronfenbrenner's PPCT model. Data were analyzed using a thematic, inductive approach. Person characteristics (e.g. perpetrators' personality and victims' cognitive functioning), proximal processes (e.g. family patterns of communication and resource sharing), context (e.g. geographic location), and time (e.g. prevailing legal, economic, and cohort factors) emerged as relevant for EFFE experiences. Given that EFFE helping professionals (e.g., attorneys, practitioners) often lack training in familyor systems-focused dynamics and interventions, implications and applications of the PPCT model will be discussed with the goal of raising awareness of factors related to EFFE identification and prevention. Given a growing body of evidence for the developmental relevance of the perceived experience of aging and for the presence of interindividual variability in the way people experience aging, this symposium examines the determinants and outcomes of various subjective aging constructs. This session will explore the role of various psychological variables in explaining variability in subjective aging experiences. Consequences of various subjective aging concepts on cognitive functioning, emotional and physical well-being will also be discussed. The first two presentations examine Attitudes Toward Own Aging (ATOA). Kornadt, Siebert and Wahl will address the developmental co-dynamics of personality and ATOA across the second half of life. Siebert and Wahl will examine the associations of ATOA with subjective and objective cognitive functioning. The last two presentations focus on awareness of age-related change (AARC). Sabatini, Silarova, Collins, Martyr, Ballard, Anstey, Kim & Clare will present findings from a systematic-review and meta-analysis synthesizing and quantifying associations of awareness of age-related change (AARC) with emotional and physical well-being and cognitive functioning. Finally, Rothermund and de Paula Couto will show how both the experience of positive and/or negative changes (gains and losses) and the presence of positive and/or negative age stereotypes predict individual's attributions of change to age. This last presentation will also examine how together the presence of change and attribution of change to age predict developmental outcomes. The symposium will conclude with summarizing remarks from the discussant who suggests possible directions for future research on determinants and outcomes of perceived experience of aging.