Association of functional limitations and disability with elder abuse in India: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Globally, elder abuse is a common form of violence against the elderly. This study examines the association of disability and functional ability measures with elder abuse in India. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the UNFPA's 'Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India' (BKPAI 2011) have been analysed. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses have been used to examine the association of measures of disability and functional ability with elder abuse/mistreatment. Results: The overall prevalence of elder abuse in the study population is 11.4%. The prevalence of elder abuse experienced by study participants in the month before the survey is 6%. The prevalence of disability/functional ability increases the likelihood of elder abuse. Furthermore, the association between functional ability and abuse is stronger and consistent among the elderly who experienced abuse in the month preceding the survey. In addition, the association between disability and elder abuse is stronger in urban areas. Another observation is that gender introduces considerable disparities in the association of disability and functional ability measures with elder abuse. While elderly men with more than two disabilities are 1.85 times (95% CI: 1.23, 2.77, p < 0.003) more likely to experience abuse/mistreatment, women are 3.16 times (CI: 2.22, 4.49, p < .001) more exposed to it. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest a significant association of disability and functional ability with elder abuse. The association differs considerably by place of residence and gender. Measures to improve the functional health of the elderly population and measures to protect the elderly with disability and functional limitations are important in preventing abuse/mistreatment in old age.

Violence and associated health outcomes among older adults in India: A gendered perspective

“…The results support the hypothesis outlined in this study that the violence may be thought as a stressful event in later life which has negative impact on the health outcomes of older adults. A large number of studies in India highlight that older women are more likely than men to experience violence ( Bhattacharya & Bhattacharya, 2014 ; Kumar & Bhargava, 2014 ; Sathya & Premkumar, 2020 ; Sebastian & Sekher, 2010 ; Skirbekk & James, 2014 ; Soneja, 2011 ).…”

Factors associated with the risk of violence against older adult women: a cross-sectional study

“…FN is responsible for acting in the prevention of VAOA, as well as for planning actions that prevent or minimize functional decline, which is recognized as a measure that can reduce the risk of violence among this population (46)(47) . The literature indicates that the functional dependence of the older adult can increase exposure to violence by 2.20 times, as it increases the dependence relationship between the older victims and the likely aggressor (48) .…”

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

“…The lack of appropriate approach, neglect, and underreport of violence by older adults in these settings make it even more challenging. Further, violence is inversely associated with older adults' quality of life, and directly associated with morbidity and mortality rates [5,13,[18][19][20]. The experience of abuse or any kind of violence faced by the older adults is also linked to their disability and functional limitation [18].…”