Elder Abuse in the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey

• In Event: Results from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS)

Abstract

National level data on the prevalence of elder abuse is limited to just a handful of studies. This study uses self-report data from 2,185 respondents age 70 and older from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) to provide national prevalence estimates and correlates of elder physical and psychological abuse. Results indicate that more than one in 10 adults who are 70 years of age or older (13.9%) have experienced some form of aggression in the past year (95% CI = 11.5% to 16.3%). Twelve percent have experienced psychological aggression (95% CI = 9.8% to 14.1%) and 1.7% have experienced physical aggression (95% CI = 0.7% to 2.6%) in the past year. More than one in 10 (10.6%) have experienced aggression by a non-intimate partner (95% CI = 8.5% to 12.6%) and 5.7% have experienced aggression by an intimate partner (95% CI = 4.1% to 7.4%) in the past year. Health care insecurity was the most robust statistical predictor of physical and psychological aggression, particularly for those individuals who experienced aggression by an intimate partner. Implications for future intervention development and research are discussed.

Authors

• Carrie Fried Mulford, National Institute of Justice

• Andre B. Rosay, University of Alaska Anchorage