Protective factors against suicidal ideation among community-dwelling older adults with experience of spousal physical abuse: focusing on direct and indirect protections

Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and Resilience Among Older Adults in the U.S. During COVID-19

“…Based on previous studies, covariates for the current study were perceived physical health status, economic status, levels of education, gender, and marital status. Studies have shown that perceived health status has significant associations with resilience (Yoon & Choi, 2022), domestic violence (Easton & Kong, 2021; Tobiasz-Adamczyk et al, 2014) and adverse mental health outcomes among older adults (Kong & Easton, 2019; Yoon et al, 2020). Perceived physical health during COVID-19 was measured on a six-point Likert scale from very poor (1) to excellent (6).…”

“…Perceived physical health during COVID-19 was measured on a six-point Likert scale from very poor (1) to excellent (6). Although experiences of violence have a serious impact on both older men and women (Easton & Kong, 2021; Yoon et al, 2022), gender differences have been identified in the rates of domestic violence, loneliness (Santos et al, 2020; Tobiasz-Adamczyk et al, 2014), and mental health outcomes (Kong & Easton, 2019; Yoon et al, 2020). Gender was assessed with a binary question and responses were coded as male (0) and female (1).…”

“…Annual household income was assessed from under $5000 (1) to over $100,000 (20). Some research has also reported that education has negative associations with mental health outcomes (Easton & Kong, 2021; Yoon et al, 2022); however, other research has identified a positive (Yoon et al, 2020) or no relationship among older adults with experiences of abuse (Kong & Easton, 2019). Education was measured from less than high school (1) to a master’s degree or higher (5).…”

“…Previous research has reported that all types of domestic violence are positively associated with negative health outcomes including anxiety (Arokach, 2006; Malik et al, 2021), depression, and suicidality regardless of the victims’ age or gender (Rahmani et al, 2019; Yoon & Cummings, 2019; Yoon et al, 2020, 2022). However, older victims reportedly suffered considerably higher levels of anxiety during the pandemic (Farhat et al, 2022; Sediri et al, 2020; Yoon & Choi, 2022).…”

“…A previous study found that 47% of older women (55 and above) have experienced abuse (Fisher & Regan, 2006). Recent studies have shown that victims of domestic violence include both older males and females (Yoon et al, 2020, 2022). Studies have also shown that adverse relationships have a more destructive impact on older adults than younger people (Birditt et al, 2021; Yoon & Choi, 2022).…”