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Factors associated with elder mistreatment in rural Tamil Nadu, India: a cross‐sectional survey
Author(s) -
Chokkanathan Srinivasan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.4073
Subject(s) - dysfunctional family , cross sectional study , tamil , elder abuse , psychological intervention , logistic regression , medicine , gerontology , protective factor , alcohol abuse , rural area , psychology , poison control , injury prevention , environmental health , clinical psychology , psychiatry , philosophy , pathology , linguistics
Background There is limited evidence for the multifactorial aetiology of elder mistreatment. The goal of this study is to investigate the factors associated with the mistreatment of older adults living in rural Tamil Nadu, India. Method A cross‐sectional household survey was conducted in a sub‐district of rural Tamil Nadu by using a standard questionnaire. Face to face interviews were conducted with 902 older adults aged 61 years and older. The relation between the characteristics of older adults, family members and family environments with reported mistreatment was examined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results The multivariate results reveal that elder mistreatment is related to several factors associated with the perpetrator and the family environment. Perpetrator factors include middle age, a tertiary education (protective), alcohol consumption and the mistreatment of other family members. Family environment factors include family stress and low cohesion. Among the factors related to older adults, only physical abuse of family members was associated with exposure to mistreatment. Conclusion The characteristics of older adults, family members and family environment are potent predictors of elder mistreatment. Multi‐dynamic interventions should target dysfunctional families displaying alcohol use, relationship conflicts, low cohesion and the presence of some form of family violence. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.