Prevalence of violence against older adults and associated factors in Çanakkale, Turkey: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

AimThis study was designed to determine the prevalence of domestic violence against older adults and the associated risk factors in Çanakkale, Turkey.MethodsA cross‐sectional, population‐based study was carried out, including 1230 individuals aged ≥65 years living in the city of Çanakkale, Turkey. The population of the study consisted of 73 367 individuals aged ≥65 years, living in Çanakkale. Sample selection was made with the one‐step cluster sampling method. The data were collected by face‐to‐face interview. The study was approved by the local ethics committee, and written consent was taken from the participants.ResultsOf the participants, 4.1% had experienced physical violence, 2.5% were subjected to sexual abuse, 23.5% had undergone psychological violence and 12.2% had a history of economic violence. The exposure to any of the given violence types was 28.5%. Risk factors related to violence were being married, having children, educated partner, lack of economic independence, poor self‐perceived health, administration of medications by others, feeling lonely, dissatisfaction with life, poor perception of family relations and not participating in family decisions.ConclusionsThese results show that violence against older adults is a significant problem in a city in western Turkey. Therefore, an in‐depth evaluation of the determined risk factors related to violence and actions for its prevention are warranted. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 66–71.

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

“…Higher educational attainment may affect the level of openness on abuse among the older adults and therefore they may be unwilling to share information on sensitive topics like abuse to maintain a family façade [8]. A popular believe is that, those who are economically independent have lesser odds of experiencing violence [38]. However, our results indicated otherwise -older adults with working status experience higher odds of violence.…”

Economic violence against women: A case in Turkey

“…In contrast to these studies, another study also states that compared to women who attended fewer years of schools, those who attended more years of school are just more likely to report economic violence [25]. The partner's level of education is also effective on economic violence [49]. Educational differences between of the woman and her husband/partner are also significantly associated with economic abuse [38].…”

“…It was found in a study conducted in Konya, that 13.5% of married women were exposed to sexual and economic violence [14]; in another study conducted in Turkey's capital Ankara showed that 60.4% of women [28] and 19.3% of the women in Edirne, were exposed to economic violence [47]. In a study conducted with women admitted to the IVF Center in southwest Turkey, 19% of the participants [48] and, in another study conducted with individuals aged 65 and over living in Ç anakkale, it was found that 12.2% of the participants were exposed to economic violence [49].…”

“…Factors such as financial stress and financial resilience are also associated with economic violence [36]. A study conducted with older adults found that older adults who were financially independent are less likely to suffer psychological and economic violence [49]. In addition, the income differences of the woman and husband/ partner are significantly associated with economic abuse [38].…”

“…Unemployment is significantly associated with forms of economic abuse [38]. Lack of economic independence is an effective factor for economic violence [49].…”