title: Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Elder Abuse and Neglect in the Community: A Population-Based Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate past-year prevalence and identify risk and protective factors of elder emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, population-based study using random-digit-dial sampling and direct telephone interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  New York State households.
  
  
  METHODS
  Representative (race, ethnicity, sex) sample (N = 4,156) of English- or Spanish-speaking, community-dwelling, cognitively intact individuals aged 60 and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Conflict Tactics Scale was adapted to assess elder emotional and physical abuse. Elder neglect was evaluated according to failure of a responsible caregiver to meet an older adult's needs using the Duke Older Americans Resources and Services (OARS) scale. Caseness thresholds were based on mistreatment behavior frequencies and elder perceptions of problem seriousness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Past-year prevalence of elder emotional abuse was 1.9%, of physical abuse was 1.8%, and of neglect was 1.8%, with an aggregate prevalence of 4.6%. Emotional and physical abuse were associated with being separated or divorced, living in a lower-income household, functional impairment, and younger age. Neglect was associated with poor health, being separated or divorced, living below the poverty line, and younger age. Neglect was less likely in older adults of Hispanic ethnicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elder abuse and neglect are common problems, with divergent risk and protective factor profiles. These findings have direct implications for public screening and education and awareness efforts designed to prevent elder mistreatment.
authors: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Burnes
authors: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors: Karl
authors: K
authors: Pillemer
authors: Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Rochester, New York.
authors: Paul L
authors: PL
authors: Caccamise
authors: Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Rochester, New York.
authors: Art
authors: A
authors: Mason
authors: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors: Charles R
authors: CR
authors: Henderson
authors: New York City Department for the Aging, New York, New York.
authors: Jacquelin
authors: J
authors: Berman
authors: Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Rochester, New York.
authors: Ann Marie
authors: AM
authors: Cook
authors: Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Rochester, New York.
authors: Denise
authors: D
authors: Shukoff
authors: Fordham University, New York, New York.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Brownell
authors: New York City Department for the Aging, New York, New York.
authors: Mebane
authors: M
authors: Powell
authors: New York City Department for the Aging, New York, New York.
authors: Aurora
authors: A
authors: Salamone
authors: Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.
authors: Mark S
authors: MS
authors: Lachs
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: elder abuse; elder neglect; prevalence; risk factors