Abuse of Older Adults: A Study of the Prevalence and Type of Abuse and Its Relationships to Psychological Distress

Abstract

Several studies have investigated the antecedents of abuse against older adults in developed countries, but little is known about the prevalence, type, and psychological distress of abuse against older adults in Nigeria. This study examined the prevalence and type of abuse and its links to psychological distress among older adults in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was used to recruit 392 respondents ranging in age from 60 to 80 years old (M = 70.77, S = 6.33) using a convenient sampling technique. Data was collected using a standardized questionnaire. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics like frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations, and the hypothesis was tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed a relatively moderate prevalence of abuse (28.3%) among older adults, while emotional (18%) and verbal (82%) were the types of abuse that the respondents experienced. Finally, psychological distress had a statistically significant main effect on older adults' abuse (F3,388 = 28.69, p < .05). The study concluded that the prevalence of abuse against older adults is below average in the study setting, with verbal and emotional abuse being the most common types among the respondents. It was also concluded that psychological distress influenced abuse towards older adults.

Keywords

• Older adults
• Abuse
• Psychological distress
• Prevalence

Thanks

The researchers would like to express their gratitude to the Obafemi Awolowo University retirees and the Ile-Ife, Osun State, retirees' association for their time and participation in the present study.

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