Elder mistreatment and emotional symptoms among older adults in a largely rural population: the South Carolina elder mistreatment study

J Interpers Violence. 2011 Jul;26(11):2321-32. doi: 10.1177/0886260510383037. Epub 2010 Sep 9.

Abstract

Although two recent major studies provide some insight into the prevalence and correlates of elder mistreatment, the relationship between elder mistreatment and mental health remains unclear. This study begins to address this issue by examining the relationship between elder mistreatment (i.e., a recent history of emotional and physical abuse) and negative emotional symptoms (e.g., anxiety and depression) among 902 older adults aged 60 and above residing in South Carolina. Results demonstrate that emotional, but not physical, abuse is significantly correlated with higher levels of emotional symptoms. This relationship is sustained when controlling for established demographic and social/dependency risk factors. These data suggest that mistreated older adults also suffer from greater emotional symptoms and highlight the need for more research in this area.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anxiety / epidemiology*
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Elder Abuse / psychology*
  • Elder Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Rural Population
  • Social Support
  • South Carolina / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Verbal Behavior