title: Abuse of Older Men in Seven European Countries: A Multilevel Approach in the Framework of an Ecological Model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies on elder abuse indicate that a large number of victims are women, but others report that men in later life are also significantly abused, especially when they show symptoms of disability and poor health, and require help for their daily activities as a result. This study focused on the prevalence of different types of abuse experienced by men and on a comparison of male victims and non-victims concerning demographic/socio-economic characteristics, lifestyle/health variables, social support and quality of life. Additionally, the study identified factors associated with different types of abuse experienced by men and characteristics associated with the victims.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional data concerning abuse in the past 12 months were collected by means of interviews and self-response during January-July 2009, from a sample of 4,467 not demented individuals aged between 60-84 years living in seven European countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain and Sweden). We used a multilevel approach, within the framework of an Ecological Model, to explore the phenomenon of abuse against males as the complex result of factors from multiple levels: individual, relational, community and societal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate analyses showed that older men educated to higher levels, blue-collar workers and men living in a rented accommodation were more often victims than those educated to lower levels, low-rank white-collar workers and home owners, respectively. In addition, high scores for factors such as somatic and anxiety symptoms seemed linked with an increased probability of being abused. Conversely, factors such as increased age, worries about daily expenses (financial strain) and greater social support seemed linked with a decreased probability of being abused.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Male elder abuse is under-recognized, under-detected and under-reported, mainly due to the vulnerability of older men and to social/cultural norms supporting traditional male characteristics of stoicism and strength. Further specific research on the topic is necessary in the light of the present findings. Such research should focus, in particular, on societal/community aspects, as well as individual and family ones, as allowed by the framework of the Ecological Model, which in turn could represent a useful method also for developing prevention strategies for elder abuse.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, Italian National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, I.N.R.C.A., Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Melchiorre
authors.affiliation: Scientific Direction, Italian National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, I.N.R.C.A., Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Rosa
authors.affiliation: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, Italian National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, I.N.R.C.A., Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lamura
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biomedicas en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torres-Gonzales
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Emden, Emden, Germany.|Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: Jutta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindert
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.|Health Service Management Department, Centre for Health Innovation, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Mindaugas
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stankunas
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ioannidi-Kapolou
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Henrique
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.|Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Macassa
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Section of Public Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden.
authors.forename: Joaquim J F
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Soares
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors