The chronicity and severity of abuse among older persons by country

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate chronicity (frequency) in different abuse types (e.g. psychological) and overall abuse (all abuse types) by severity (minor, severe, total) in seven European cities, and scrutinize factors associated with high chronicity levels (frequency on the median and higher) in psychological and overall abuse by severity. Design/methodology/approach – The study design was cross-sectional. The sample consisted of 4,467 randomly selected women/men (2,559 women) aged 60-84 years from seven European cities, and data were analysed with bivariate and multivariate methods. Findings – Chronicity varied across country and by abuse type. For instance, Germany had the highest chronicity means in physical and sexual abuse; Greece in physical, injury, sexual and overall abuse; Lithuania in physical, injury, financial and overall abuse; Portugal in physical abuse; Spain in physical, sexual and financial abuse; and Sweden in psychological, injury, financial and overall abuse. In general, Italy had the lowest chronicity means. The main perpetrators were people close to the respondents and women (in some cases). Research limitations/implications – The independent relationship (regressions) between chronicity/severity of abuse, country and other variables (e.g. depression) was examined only for psychological and overall abuse. More research into this issue with other types of abuse (e.g. sexual) is warranted. Originality/value – The paper reports data from the ABUEL survey, which gathered population-based data on elderly abuse

Cross-sectional study · Depression (economics · Domestic violence · Environmental health · Multivariate analysis · Physical abuse · Poison control · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological abuse · Sexual abuse · Suicide prevention · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Elder Abuse and Neglect · Health disparities and outcomes · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Psychology

• The Mortality of Elder Mistreatment

  Mark S Lachs•JAMA•1998

  Incluir item

• The Prevalence of Elder Abuse

  Karl Pillemer, David Finkelhor•The Gerontologist•1988

  Incluir item

• Psychometric Characteristics of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

  Gregory Zimet, Gregory D Zimet et al.•Journal of Personality Assessment•1990

  Incluir item

• Cross-Cultural Differences in Physical Aggression Between Partners

  Open Access•Jeff Archer, John Archer•Personality and Social Psychology…•2006

  Incluir item

• The prevalence of elder abuse and neglect

  Claudia Cooper, Amber Selwood et al.•Age and Ageing•2008

  Incluir item

• An Introduction to Logistic Regression Analysis and Reporting

  Open Access•Chao-Ying Joanne Peng, Chao‐Ying Joanne Peng et al.•The Journal of Educational Research•2002

  Incluir item

• Changes in Older Adult Loneliness

  Open Access•Pearl A Dykstra, Theo G Van Tilburg et al.•Research on Aging•2005

  Incluir item

• Multistate analysis of factors associated with intimate partner violence

  Open Access•Joshua R Vest, J Vest•American Journal of Preventive…•2002

  Incluir item

• Clinical Practice Guidelines and Quality of Care for Older Patients With Multiple Comorbid Diseases

  Cynthia M Boyd, Jonathan Darer et al.•JAMA•2005

  Incluir item

• Psychometric Characteristics of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

  Gregory D Zimet, Suzanne Powell et al.•Journal of Personality Assessment•1990

  Incluir item

• Intimate partner violence

  Open Access•Rachel Jewkes•The Lancet•2002

  Incluir item

• The world report on violence and health

  Open Access•Etienne Krug, Etienne G Krug et al.•The Lancet•2002

  Incluir item

• The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

  Open Access•A S Zigmond, R P Snaith•Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica•1983

  Incluir item

• Informal Caregiving for Elders in Sweden

  Lennarth Johansson, Helen Long et al.•Journal of Aging & Social Policy•2011

  Incluir item

• Elder Abuse and Dementia - a Pilot Study

  Open Access•Colm Cooney, Ann Mortimer•International Journal of Social…•1995

  Incluir item

• Mortality and Morbidity Trends

  E M Crimmins, Hiram Beltran-Sanchez•The Journals of Gerontology…•2011

  Incluir item

• Sex differences in aggression between heterosexual partners

  Jeff Archer, John Archer•Psychological Bulletin•2000

  Incluir item

• Psychological abuse among older persons in Europe

  Open Access•Gloria Macassa, Eija Viitasara et al.•Journal of Aggression Conflict…•2013

  Incluir item

• References Examining Assaults by Women on Their Spouses or Male Partners

  Open Access•Martin S Fiebert•Sexuality & Culture•2009

  Incluir item

• Elder Mistreatment in the United States

  Edward O Laumann, Sara A Leitsch et al.•The Journals of Gerontology…•2008

  Incluir item

• Socioeconomic Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Among White, Black, and Hispanic Couples in the United States

  Open Access•Carol B Cunradi, R Caetano et al.•Journal of Family Violence•2002

  Incluir item

• Prevalence and Correlates of Emotional, Physical, Sexual, and Financial Abuse and Potential Neglect in the United States

  Ron Acierno, M A Hernández et al.•American Journal of Public Health•2010

  Incluir item

• Physical abuse of older people reported at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil

  Open Access•Marcella De Brito Abath, Márcia Carrera Campos Leal et al.•Cadernos de Saude Publica•2010

  Incluir item

• The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2)

  Open Access•M A Straus, Murray A Strau et al.•Journal of Family Issues•1996

  Incluir item

• Social Disconnectedness, Perceived Isolation, and Health among Older Adults

  Open Access•Erin York Cornwell, L J Waite•Journal of Health and Social…•2009

  Incluir item