Roybal Center for Elder Mistreatment Intervention Research

Project Abstract – Overall Component The Roybal Center for Elder Mistreatment Intervention Research will contribute significant, impactful scientific progress to the elder mistreatment (EM) field by addressing the overarching research question: How can we reduce exposure to EM and prevent its mental and physical health impacts among community-dwelling

older adults and their family caregivers? The scientific premise underlying this Roybal Center is as follows: most known modifiable intervention targets for, and outcomes of, EM have an established evidence base guiding behavioral interventions drawn from related fields. There is a need to rapidly and effectively adapt, refine, and

implement these interventions to fit the context of EM. Thus, we will initially focus on pilots addressing Stages 0-2 of behavioral intervention development. We will provide robust services and support through Cores designed to ensure translation and progression of the pilots through the NIH stage model by targeting known barriers to

research progression for EM. The activities and infrastructure proposed to overcome these barriers are described in the Administrative Core and Behavioral Intervention Development Core (BID) Core and include novel components such as a human subjects safety pre-review panel and a Participant-Reported Outcomes Advisory

Team. By addressing barriers in EM research at the pilot stage, we hypothesize that investigators can build sustainable and impactful long-term research programs to achieve mechanism-focused EM intervention development and evaluation. Based at UTHealth Houston this center is uniquely qualified to lead the

advancement of EM intervention research and support new cohorts of EM investigators with one of the largest teams of funded EM researchers in existence. This Roybal Center is further supported by accomplished treatment outcomes and implementation science investigators who will support the transition of projects through

the stages of intervention development. This Roybal Center is designed to overcome crucial barriers preventing significant, impactful progression of EM intervention development research. This center will significantly impact the field of EM by providing a rigorous evidence base to inform clinical practice guidelines (e.g., USPTF), public

policy, and service delivery -- ultimately reducing rates of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation while supporting older adult and caregiver well-being.