Analysis of Interpersonal and Self-Inflicted Violence in Older Adults

Abstract

Objective: to identify the prevalence of interpersonal and self-inflicted violence in older adults in the state of Espírito Santo and its association with victim and aggression characteristics. Method: this is a cross-sectional study with data on notifications of elder abuse registered in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil between 2011 and 2018 in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Violence nature (interpersonal or self-inflicted) and victim and aggression characteristics were assessed. Multivariate analysis was conducted using Poisson regression with robust variance. The association was presented by Prevalence Ratio (PR) and 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI). Results: the prevalence of interpersonal violence was 85.0% (95%CI: 83.3-86.5), and of self-inflicted violence was 15.0% (95%CI: 13.5-16.7). Interpersonal elder abuse was associated with higher prevalence in female victims, aged 80 years or older, black/brown and without disability/disorder, with repetition history, with suspected use of alcohol, outside the residence, in urban areas and motivated by intolerances. On the other hand, self-inflicted violence among older adults was more prevalent in male victims, aged 60 to 69 years, white, with disabilities/disorders, when aggression occurred at home, without repetition history, without suspicion of alcohol use, in rural areas and without intolerance. Conclusion: Victim and aggression characteristics influence the occurrence of interpersonal and self-inflicted violence in older adults.