Purpose: Spouse abuse is prevalent in Korea. In specific, elders cared for by spouses are highly exposed to the domestic violence committed by their spouses. There is little empirical research identifying a mediator(s) of spouse abuse among the Korean elderly population. This study investigates the mediation effect of caregiving burden on spouse abuse and its relationship with financial adequacy and care recipients' level of disability.

Methods: The data used in this study was drawn from the national survey of 1,000 caregivers conducted by the Seoul Development Institute (2003). A total of 240 spouse caregivers were selected and questioned about care recipients' physical and cognitive impairments, perceived caregiving burden, economic status, and spouse abuse. A multiple regression and Disturbance Term Regression Test were employed to identify that financial adequacy, and victims' functional dependency and cognitive disabilities are mediated by caregiving burden to spouse abuse.

Results: Regression tests: 1) Regressing a caregiver burden factor on three other factors are significant: financial burden (ß = 1.114, p < .000), physical disability (ß = .220, p < .000), and cognitive disability (ß = .217, p < .000). 2) Regressing a spouse abuse factor on cognitive disability (ß = .148, p < .002) and caregiver burden (ß = .176, p < .002) is significant. Disturbance Term Regression Tests: Regression of Spouse Abuse on Cognitive Disability and Caregiver Burden obtain a residual. The residual obtained is regressed on a financial burden factor (ß = .235, p < .182) and a physical disability factor (ß = -.003, p < .942). Because all beta coefficients tested are not significant, the proposed model is appropriate and a mediation factor is identified.

Implications: Findings verify that caregiving burden plays a mediator in relation to spouse abuse. Family caregivers who commit violence toward their spouses are directly influenced by the level of caregiving burdens including social, medical, family, and psychological stresses. That is, in order to prevent possible spouse abuse among older population in Korea, policy makers, social workers, and researchers should focus more on reducing caregiving burden. Accordingly, community based services like home-helper or daycare programs, and financial support programs for the disabled older adults need to be expanded for decreasing caregiving burden and preventing the prevalence of spouse abuse in domestic settings.