Elder abuse among community-dwelling older adults in India: Prevalence and correlates of a national survey in 2017-2018

Abstract

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of elder abuse in community-dwelling older adults in India. The study sample included 31,477 older adults (≥60 years) from a cross-sectional national population-based survey in India in 2017-2018. Results indicate that the prevalence of elder abuse in the past 12 months was 5.2%. In the adjusted logistic regression analysis, food insecurity, functional disability, loneliness, depressive symptoms, and current tobacco use were positively associated with elder abuse, while higher subjective socioeconomic status, Christian and Sikh were negatively associated with elder abuse. In addition, in unadjusted analysis, no schooling, belonging to the Scheduled castes, and poor cognition were positively and urban residence was negatively associated with elder abuse. One in twenty older adults in India experienced elder abuse, and several associated factors were identified which could be targeted in elder abuse prevention efforts.