The study focused on whether or not powerlessness was expressed by the abused persons and the abusers, as well as the contributing risk factors in the individual, interpersonal, and contextual relationships. Also observed were the interacting elements between such powerlessness and the outcome of abusive and neglectful behavior. These issues were examined through the thematic content analysis of risk factors within the four systems -- micro, exo, meso, and macro -- as defined by Bronfenbrenner (1989, pp. 226-227) and Schiamberg and Gans (1999, p. 87). For the purposes of this study, "powerlessness" was conceptualized as a continuous interactive process between the abused persons, their abusers, and their environment. It was expressed through attitudes of self-blame, a sense of generalized distrust, a feeling of alienation from resources, and a sense of helplessness and discouragement. Interviews were conducted with 16 abused and neglected elderly victims, as well as with 2 of their abusers. The interviews addressed their past and present situations, their roles and relationships, and the process through which the interviewees moved into their process of powerlessness. A critical, systemic, ecological analysis of the interviews focused on the historical, gender, and cultural perspectives of the interviewees. Through the relationships of the victims and their abusers in the macro, meso, exo, and microsystems, questions were raised about the growing debate regarding changes in family patterns and demographics that affect how societies define the provision of care to dependent adults. The experiences of abuse analyzed in this study show that violence by abusers stems from complex interacting systems and significant events that impact the life courses of some older adults and some caregivers. These include historical, gender, cultural, and other critical influences throughout the life courses of victims and abusers. When the dynamics of these events and circumstances place them in powerless positions, the risk for abuse and neglect increases significantly. Interventions must help older adults move out of their powerlessness and abusive relationships by targeting the various systems, policies, beliefs, and values that underlie states of helplessness, inactivity, and an inability to devise ways to change the situation. 1 figure and 32 references