Abuse among Portuguese older people at a time of economic crisis recovery: findings from the Harmed study

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Dias, Isabel (Author) FLUP; Henriques, Ana (Author) FMUP; Lopes, Alexandra (Author) FLUP; Lemos, Rute (Author) FEP; Barros, Henrique (Author) FMUP; Fraga, Sílvia (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect

Vol. 34 No. 2

Pages: 1-15

ISSN: 0894-6566

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

PsycInfo

Sociological Abstracts

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-31G

DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2022.2039338

Abstract (EN): This study aimed to assess the prevalence of abuse against Portuguese older people after an economic crisis and to assess how it has influenced health. A cross-sectional study was carried out including 677 older adults (>= 60 years) during 2017. Results show that overall, 23.9% of older people reported being a victim of abuse in the last 12 months. The prevalence of psychological abuse was 19.9%, financial abuse 5.8%, physical abuse 2.5% and sexual abuse 1.9%. Older people who report abuse were more likely to have perceived insufficient income and low social support. The abuse was also significantly associated with poor health status and depressive symptoms. Even in an auspicious period, more than a fifth of older people experiences abuse which is associated with social and health vulnerabilities. These results support that an investment should be made in terms of policies toward an age-friendly environment.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 15