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Rangasamy Nagarajan 1 Article
Elder abuse/mistreatment and associated covariates in India: results from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India wave 1, 2017-2018
Thennavan Sathya, Yesuvadian Selvamani, Rangasamy Nagarajan
Epidemiol Health. 2022;44:e2022017.   Published online January 18, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2022017
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  • 5 Crossref
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDF
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Elder abuse has significant adverse consequences for the overall health and well-being of the elderly, including premature mortality. Using cross-sectional data, we assessed the prevalence of elder abuse in India, its variation across states, and associated factors.
METHODS
Nationally representative data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India were analyzed. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to study the prevalence, state variations, and associated factors of elder abuse.
RESULTS
Overall, 5.2% of elderly adults (≥60 years) had experienced abuse in the year prior to the survey and 3% had experienced abuse within their own household. Verbal abuse or disrespect was the most common form of abuse. Considerable variation was observed in the prevalence of elder abuse across states and union territories, with the highest prevalence observed in Bihar (11.6%) and Karnataka (10.1%). In regression analysis, education level emerged as a protective factor against elder abuse, particularly among women. Older adults who lived alone, had functional limitations, had multiple morbidities, and had been hospitalized in the past year were more likely to experience abuse. Older adults who experienced abuse were 2 times more likely to experience depressive symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
Cross-state variation in the prevalence of elder abuse and subgroup differences suggest that state-specific interventions and essential monitoring of older adults with functional limitations, chronic diseases, and recent hospitalization can further reduce the prevalence and consequences of elder abuse in India.
Summary
Key Message
Elder abuse is one of the common forms of violence among the elderly. This study finds a significant proportion (5.2%) of Indian elderly reported elder abuse with considerable state-variations. The prevalence of elder abuse is higher in the states of Bihar (11.6%) and Karnataka (10.1%). Gender differences in elder abuse is notable where women is more likely to experience abuse than men. Education is a key protective factor of abuse. Elderly with multimorbidity and functional limitations are more likely to experience abuse. The elder abuse is positively associated with depressive symptoms.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Understanding Elder Abuse in India: Contributing Factors and Policy Suggestions
    Priya Maurya, Aparajita Chattopadhyay, Smitha Rao, Palak Sharma
    Journal of Population Ageing.2024; 17(1): 5.     CrossRef
  • Association between Multimorbidity and Psychological Distress among Older Adults in India: The Moderating Role of Elder Abuse
    Sathya Thennavan, Yesuvadian Selvamani, Nagarajan Rangasamy, Mathew Arumai
    Clinical Gerontologist.2024; : 1.     CrossRef
  • Elder Abuse in Older Adults With Dementia: Protective Factors and Adverse Effects
    Wenxing Wei, Sarah Balser, Ann W. Nguyen, Weidi Qin
    Trauma, Violence, & Abuse.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Prevalence and risk factors of elder abuse in survivors of stroke: A cross‐sectional study
    Guifen Zhang, Minyuan Chen, Peiyi Xiao, Zhibo Peng
    Health Science Reports.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Elder Mistreatment as a Risk Factor for Depression and Suicidal Ideation in Korean Older Adults
    Min-So Paek, Mi Jin Lee, Yu-Seon Shin
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(18): 11165.     CrossRef

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