Prevalence and associated factors of elder psychological abuse- a cross- sectional screening study, based on a hospitalized community from Poland.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present work was to exploring the prevalence, perpetrators and predictors of elder psychological abuse.

METHOD: We conducted the cross- sectional study, based on a hospitalized community. The sample consisted of 200 respondents aged ≥60. The Chi-square test and logistic regression models were used.

RESULTS

A total of 29 % respondents experienced at least one type of psychological abuse in the last 12 months. The percentage of women who statistically more often than men experienced arrogance, isolating, insulting and mocking was 71-77 %. It has been shown that the lower the monthly income, the higher the risk of psychological violence. Statistically, the highest percentage of violence in the form of arrogance, vulgarity and blackmail, threats was recorded in people aged 60-65 (48.9 % and 56.3 %, respectively). On the other hand, logistic regression analysis showed that the oldest respondents aged >70 more than three times more often than people from the youngest age category are victims of violence. The rate of arrogance, vulgarity (odd ratio (OR) 2.90;p < 0.01) and mocking (OR 3.56; p < 0.01) is statistically significantly higher, respectively, in people living in towns than in villages. People with chronic diseases are statistically more likely to experience violence in the form of isolation (OR 4.74; p = 0.04). Cohabitants, spouses or sons are the most frequent perpetrators of elder abuse and neglect.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals that statistically more often, psychological abuse is experienced by women, older adults living in urban areas and people with a low socioeconomic status and chronic disease.