Abuses against older women: prevalence and health effects.
A clinical sample of 995 community dwelling women aged 55 and older were surveyed by telephone about their experience with psychological/ emotional, control, threat, physical, and sexual abuse. Nearly half of the women experienced at least one type of abuse since turning 55. Sizable proportions were victims of repeated abuse, and many experienced co-occurring abuse. Women who experienced any type of abuse were more likely to self-report negative health effects than those who were not abused. Health care and social service providers should routinely screen older women for psychological/emotional abuse at it often co-occurs with more severe forms of abuse.
Fisher
Bonnie S
BS
School of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0389, USA. Bonnie.Fisher@uc.edu
Zink
Therese
T
Regan
Saundra L
SL
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D007629:Kentucky / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health