AI Insight
A cross-sectional community study conducted in Eastern Andalusia, Spain, examined the prevalence of abuse among 209 non-institutionalised women aged 60 and older using the Geriatric Mistreatment Scale. Results revealed that 49.3% of participants experienced at least one form of abuse in the preceding twelve months, with psychological abuse being the most prevalent (36.4%), followed by physical (23.0%), economic (13.9%), sexual (11.0%), and neglect (7.7%). Age, marital status, self-perceived health status, and feelings of loneliness were identified as statistically significant risk factors associated with abuse.
Why it matters
These findings underscore the need for targeted training of primary care providers, social workers, and community-based professionals to detect both overt and subtle forms of elder abuse among women living at home. Strengthening institutional detection and prevention strategies could meaningfully reduce the burden of abuse in ageing female populations.
Understand the Science
by Yolanda María de la Fuente-Robles, Adrián Jesús Ricoy-Cano, María Dolores Muñoz-de-Dios, Marta García-Domingo
Abuse against older adult women remains a serious public health issue and a flagrant violation of human rights in Spain. However, research specifically addressing abuse against older adult women is still limited, contributing to a significant gap in scientific knowledge. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of overall abuse, and its different forms, experienced by older adult women (≥ 60 years) in a specific area of Eastern Andalusia, Spain, over the past twelve months, and to identify associated risk factors. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 209 non-institutionalised older adult women, using the Geriatric Mistreatment Scale and collecting sociodemographic and lifestyle data. A high prevalence of abuse was found, with 49.3% of participants reporting some type of abuse, with psychological abuse being the most common (36.4%), followed by physical (23.0%), economic (13.9%), sexual (11.0%) and neglect (7.7%). Factors such as age, marital status, self-perceived health status and feelings of loneliness were identified as significant risk factors. These findings highlight the need to strengthen detection, prevention and response strategies within community and household settings, particularly by equipping primary care, social services and other community-based professionals—especially social workers—with the skills to identify both overt and subtle forms of abuse experienced by older adult women living at home.