Frequency and Gender Pattern of Elder Abuse Among Community Dwelling Older Adults in the Urban Area of Tabriz, Iran

Objectives: Elder abuse is a phenomenon that has become more apparent by increasing the older adults’ population but there are insufficient evidences about the prevalence of elder abuse and gender differences. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of elder abuse and its’ pattern based on gender differences among elderly population. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 414 older adults aged 60 years and over were recruited through health centers by using randomized sampling method in Tabriz city, Iran in 2018. Data collection tools included demographic characteristics and the Iranian Domestic Elder Abuse Questionnaire. Data had been gathered by using interview and next, was analyzed by using SPSS-22 software tool. Results: Of the studied participants, 52.6% reported history of being abused by family members. Emotional neglect was the most common type of elder abuse (26.6%) and financial abuse was the second (17.6%) common elder abuse. Physical abuse was reported as the lowest rate. The results also showed that except for the financial abuse, in other domains, older women were more being abused in compare of men. Of the participants who were being abused, only 31.7% recognized it as elder abuse. Conclusion: Older adults experienced more financial abuse and neglect, while their understanding about many items of elder abuse was the normal behavior of family members, and also older women were more likely to be abused. It is necessary to pay more attention to prevent elder abuse and acquainted with the items of elder abuse as a right of older adults