Elder abuse as a risk factor for psychological distress among older adults in India: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study examines the association between elder abuse and psychological distress among older adults in India and explores whether this association varies by the level of psychosocial and material resources.DesignThe study uses a cross-sectional survey design.SettingThe data are drawn from a representative sample of 9589 adults aged 60 and above in seven Indian states—Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu—in 2011.Statistical analysesSecondary analysis, using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models, is conducted using the United Nations Population Fund project Building Knowledge Base on Ageing in India survey. Elder abuse (physical and/or emotional) emanating from family members in the previous month before the survey is examined. Multivariate models are run on the total analytical sample and for men and women separately.ResultsThe overall prevalence of psychological distress among persons aged 60 and over living in the seven Indian States is 40.6%. Among those older persons who experienced some form of physical or emotional abuse or violence in the last month, the prevalence of psychological distress is much higher than that in the general older population, at 61.6% (p<0.001). The results show that the experience of abuse is negatively associated with the mental health of older adults, and this relationship persists even after controlling for demographic and socioeconomic factors (OR=1.60, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.09). The findings also suggest that household wealth has an inverse relationship with mental health, with the association between experiencing elder abuse and reporting poor mental health being strongest among older people in wealthy households.ConclusionsElder abuse in India is currently a neglected phenomenon, and greater recognition of the link between abuse and mental health is critical to improve the well-being of vulnerable older adults, some of whom may be ‘hidden’ within well-off households.

Elder abuse and associated factors in eastern romania

“…Social assistance systems do not cope with the high number of cases and prioritise the cases of abused or neglected children. Thus, the older adult suffers from abandonment, emotional and mental abuse, leading even to depression . On the other hand, those having their family close suffer abuses because the family considers them a burden.…”

“…Thus, the older adult suffers from abandonment, emotional and mental abuse, leading even to depression. 28 On the other hand, those having their family close suffer abuses because the family considers them a burden. They are subject to abandonment, financial, emotional, verbal and even physical abuse.…”

Socio-economic inequality in the prevalence of violence against older adults – Findings from India

“…It is reported that around one in six people aged 60 years and above experienced some forms of abuse or violence in the community or household level settings [5]. This has eventually led to older adults experience devastating consequences like serious injuries, health, and long-term socio-economic and psychological problems [6]- [10]. However, the growing unprecedented abuse and violence against older adults is one of the most serious socio-psycho-health problems in many low and middle-income countries [11].…”

“…Besides, these countries are also witnessing a rapid growth in aging population. For example, according to the 2011 census currently, India contributes 8.6 percent of the aged population, and further, it is expected to increase to 20 percent in 2050 [6]. Globally, an estimation showed that people aged 60 years and above comprise 900 million in 2015 and it is about to increase of 2 billion in 2050 [12].…”

“…Further, Abusing the older is linked to disability and functional limitation [15]. Some determinants influence the greater risk of older adults' violence such as the older person having low education, belong to low-income groups, and poor social status [6], [8], [18]. Although there are other facets of certain risk factors that create such an environment against older adults in physical violence and verbal abuse, however, it has not been extensively understood in the Indian scenario.…”