13: Exploring Financial Abuse Flashcards
What are the learning objectives of Video 13?
Participants will be able to:
* Define ‘relational abuse’ and its contexts (e.g., intimate partner violence (IPV))
* Define ‘financial abuse’
* Identify and describe signs of financial abuse
* Outline the co-occurrence of relational and financial abuse
* Outline current research on financial abuse
* Outline the role of the CFT-I™ and how they can help
None
Who can experience abuse?
Abuse can occur in various relational connections, including:
* Male and Female Intimate Partners
* Male and Male Intimate Partners
* Female and Female Intimate Partners
* Parents and Children
* Parents and Adult Children
* Adult Children and Elderly Parents
* Grandparents and Grandchildren
* Siblings
* Uncles, Aunts, Cousins
* Step parents, Half & Step Siblings
* Anyone can experience abuse.
None
What is the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study?
One of the largest studies of childhood adverse experiences and later life health and well-being, involving 17,000 mostly white, middle class and upper middle class, college educated San Diegans receiving care through Kaiser Permanente. It used a 10-question ACE score.
None
What were some findings of the ACE Study?
Findings include:
* With an ACE score of four or more, medical and mental health conditions worsened significantly.
* 87% of participants had one or more adverse childhood experiences.
* The study initially aimed to understand individuals struggling with weight loss.
None
What is the definition of physical abuse?
Any intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person or animal by way of bodily contact. Victims can be children or adults in cases of domestic violence and workplace aggression.
None
What is the prevalence of physical aggression in couples?
Only 6% of couples initially report physical aggression, but 60% report experiencing a couple of physically aggressive behaviors in the last year. Negativity and withdrawal are often bigger issues in couples with lower reported physical aggression.
None
What trends exist in physical aggression in intimate relationships?
The largest percentage of experiences with physical aggression occurs in couples aged 20 to 35. Physical aggression declines with age, from 37% in 20-24 year olds to 2% in 65-69 year olds. In older couples, physical aggression can escalate due to powerlessness, shame, and fear.
None
What is the APA definition of sexual abuse?
Any unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats, or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent. Immediate reactions include shock, fear, or disbelief, while long-term symptoms may include anxiety, fear, or PTSD.
None
What is the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse?
Approximately 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys are victims of childhood sexual abuse. Over a lifetime, 28% of U.S. youth ages 14 to 17 have been sexually victimized.
Boys are likely underrepresented due to social stigmatization.
What is a potential psychological response to sexual abuse?
Individuals may develop dissociative processes to protect themselves from re-experiencing the pain, which involves leaving their present conscious awareness to feel detached and safe.
None
What is the definition of psychological/emotional abuse?
Any kind of verbal abuse and constant criticism to more subtle tactics such as intimidation, manipulation, and refusal to ever be pleased. Refusing to listen or communicate may also be abusive and can fall on the side of neglect.
None
What are examples of psychological/emotional abuse related to finances?
Examples include:
* Criticism about how a spouse spends money
* Being told they are incompetent in managing money
* Manipulation using money
* Money becoming a substitute for emotional nurturance.
None
What aspects are involved in religious and spiritual abuse?
May involve elements of fear, using the name of God to create threats, expected social disconnection, boundary violations, exceptional guilt or shame, and a complete acceptance of worthlessness.
Exists on a spectrum from uninformed good intentions to narcissistic control.
What is the definition of financial or material abuse?
Includes theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions, or benefits.
England’s Department of Health and Home Office definition.
What are examples of financial abuse?
Examples include:
* A sibling stealing another’s money
* Withholding resources for social inclusion
* Parents living incongruent with their financial standard, causing guilt in the child
* Family members spending money that was yours
* Family members forging signatures.
None
What is the definition of the Scale of Economic Abuse?
A list of 28 items to consider when identifying financial abuse.
Refer to subsequent flashcards for specific items.
What are examples from the Scale of Economic Abuse (Part 1)?
Examples include:
* Stealing car keys or taking the car to prevent job searching
* Doing things to keep you from going to your job
* Beating you up for wanting to work
* Threatening to make you leave work.
None
What are examples from the Scale of Economic Abuse (Part 2)?
Examples include:
* Forcing you to give money or use your cards
* Stealing your property
* Preventing you from having your own money
* Taking your paycheck or other financial aid.
None
What are examples from the Scale of Economic Abuse (Part 3)?
Examples include:
* Keeping money needed for necessities
* Hiding money
* Gambling with your or shared money
* Keeping you from accessing bank accounts.
None
What are examples from the Scale of Economic Abuse (Part 4)?
Examples include:
* Making important financial decisions without you
* Threatening or beating you for paying bills
* Building up debt in your name
* Refusing to get a job so you have to support the family alone.
None
What themes are identified within financial abuse?
Themes include:
* Access
* Control
* Manipulation
* Secrecy
* Physical force
* Emotional abuse
* Spiritual abuse.
None
What are the limitations in academic literature on financial abuse?
Primarily focuses on elder financial abuse, with fewer articles on domestic violence and financial abuse, and limited to no articles on financial abuse in other family configurations.
Financial abuse can exist on a continuum.
How can distorting views of entitlement contribute to financial abuse?
Distorted views about entitlement to assets can contribute to financial abuse, often as retaliation for unmet needs in earlier life stages. Power imbalances in relationships can raise issues of entitlement.
None
What is the difference between illegal and improper financial behaviors?
Differences include:
* Illegal behaviors: theft, fraud, extortion
* Improper behaviors: general mismanagement or living off funds incongruent with family goals or resources.
None
What are critical elements of relational assessment in the context of financial abuse?
Elements include:
* Marital Satisfaction: overall happiness in the marriage
* Ability to express your opinion without fear of reprisal: safety of communication
* Commitment to make changes: willingness of partners to improve the relationship.
None
What is the role of the CFT-I™ coming from a financial background regarding abuse?
Roles include:
* Recognize the potential impact of historical or present abuse on financial planning
* Discuss the benefits of seeking mental health care for experiences of abuse
* Help clients protect and manage their resources while regaining stability.
None
What is the role of the CFT-I™ coming from a mental health background regarding abuse?
Roles include:
* Recognize financial trauma as a unique form of trauma
* Assess for financial abuse as part of standard intake and ongoing assessment
* Build connections between developmental experiences of financial trauma and current exploitation.
None
What is the role of the Self of the Financial Therapist regarding abuse?
Roles include:
* Reflect on the definitions of financial abuse
* Process any emotions that arise regarding the topics of abuse
* Examine places in your own family where financial abuse may have occurred.
None
Define relational abuse.
Relational abuse refers to harmful behaviors between people in various relationships that can include physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse.
What is financial abuse?
Financial or material abuse includes theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions, or benefits.
Name five different relationship configurations where abuse may occur.
Abuse can occur between:
* Male and female intimate partners
* Same-sex intimate partners
* Parents and children
* Adult children and elderly parents
* Siblings
What is intimate partner violence (IPV)?
Intimate partner violence refers to abuse occurring between current or former spouses or dating partners, including physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, psychological aggression, and financial abuse.
How do ‘Big T’ trauma and ‘Little t’ trauma differ?
‘Big T’ trauma refers to events most people would agree are painful and overwhelming, while ‘Little t’ trauma is contextual and driven by personal experience, often involving a series of smaller events.
List three signs that might indicate financial abuse.
Signs of financial abuse may include:
* One person controlling how money is spent or accessed
* Taking money without permission
* Forcing someone to account for every expense with receipts
What are some behaviors a perpetrator might use to restrict a victim’s economic independence?
Behaviors include:
* Preventing access to transportation
* Interfering with employment
* Controlling access to bank accounts
* Taking paychecks or other income
* Demanding explanations for all spending
What are five elements of relational assessment that can help identify abuse?
Five elements include:
* Marital satisfaction levels
* Presence of partner aggression
* Ability to express opinions without fear of reprisal
* Commitment to partner
* Commitment to make changes in the relationship
What is the reported prevalence of physical aggression in intimate relationships?
Only 6% of couples initially report physical aggression, yet when asked specifically, 60% report experiencing physically aggressive behaviors in the last year.
How might financial trauma form through cross-class experiences?
Financial trauma can form through:
* Being teased or ridiculed for one’s class background
* Moving between social classes
* Feeling like an impostor when achieving higher socioeconomic status
Explain the connection between financial entitlement and financial abuse.
Entitlement can drive financial exploitation, where someone feels justified in taking or controlling another’s resources based on perceived past wrongs.
What does the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study reveal about abuse?
The ACE study found that 87% of participants experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, with those having four or more adverse experiences showing significantly worse health outcomes.
What percentage of U.S. youth ages 14-17 have been sexually victimized over their lifetime?
28% of U.S. youth ages 14-17 have been sexually victimized over their lifetime.
How might financial abuse co-occur with other forms of abuse?
Financial abuse often co-occurs with other forms of abuse as part of a pattern of control, such as physical abuse enforcing financial control.
What is the role of a CFT-I™ (with financial background) when encountering abuse?
A CFT-I™ with a financial background should recognize how historical or present abuse impacts financial planning and make appropriate referrals.
What is the role of a CFT-I™ (with mental health background) when encountering financial abuse?
A CFT-I™ with a mental health background should recognize financial trauma as a unique form of trauma and assess for financial abuse.
Why might financial safety be a prerequisite for effective financial therapy?
Without financial safety, it’s difficult to have open, safe, and productive financial conversations.
A client insists they control all household finances because their spouse is ‘bad with money.’ What potential signs of financial abuse should you consider?
Consider whether:
* The spouse has access to money for basic needs
* The spouse must account for all spending
* The controlling partner belittles or shames their spouse about money
An elderly client mentions their adult child recently moved in to help care for them and now manages their finances. What assessment questions might help identify potential financial abuse?
Helpful assessment questions include:
* Do you still have access to your accounts?
* Are your bills being paid on time?
* Are you able to spend money on things you need?
A client reports avoiding looking at financial statements and feeling physical distress when discussing money. What might this indicate?
These symptoms could indicate financial trauma, possibly from past financial abuse.
What is the difference between illegal financial behaviors and improper financial behaviors?
Illegal financial behaviors include theft and fraud, while improper financial behaviors include mismanagement or inappropriate use of funds.
Is a CFT-I™ expected to treat relational and financial abuse?
No, a CFT-I™ is not expected to treat these forms of abuse but should recognize and make appropriate referrals.
What self-reflection is recommended for financial therapists regarding abuse?
Financial therapists should reflect on their own definitions and understanding of financial abuse and be aware of personal biases.
