ABSTRACT

Despite recent increases in reported cases of elder overmedication, there is little research investigating the perception of elder overmedication in the courtroom. Male and female participants (N = 169, 95 females) read an overmedication civil or criminal trial summary involving a male or female victim. Participants were more likely to make pro-victim trial judgments (e.g. Plaintiff decision) when the trial was presented in civil court compared to criminal court. Additionally, victim and defendant credibility mediated the relationship between trial type and outcome. Civil trials led to enhanced victim credibility and weakened defendant credibility, which then led to more pro-victim trial judgments. Finally, participants who had positive experiences with elders exhibited greater sympathy for the victim and perceived them as more credible. We discuss these results in terms of the legal implications of bringing cases of elder overmedication to court.

摘要

尽管最近报告的老年人过度用药案例有所增加，但很少有研究调查法庭上老年人过度用药的看法。男女参与者（N = 169, 95 名女性）阅读涉及男性或女性受害者的过度用药民事或刑事审判摘要。与刑事法庭相比，在民事法庭上进行审判时，参与者更有可能做出有利于受害者的审判判决（例如原告决定）。此外，被害人和被告人的可信度调节了审判类型和结果之间的关系。民事审判提高了受害人的可信度，削弱了被告的可信度，从而导致更多的有利于受害人的审判判决。最后，与长者有过正面经历的参与者对受害者表现出更大的同情心，并认为他们更可信。我们根据将老年人过度用药案件提交法庭的法律影响来讨论这些结果。