[Anxiety and depressive symptoms and exposition towards violence in the general older population (between 60 and 84 years) in Germany - results from a cross-sectional study]

Abstract

Background: Depression and anxiety are important public health challenges in the general older population in Germany. Exposition towards violence/abuse in old age has been widely neglected as a risk factor for anxiety and depression among the older population.

Methods: The ABUEL study (“Abuse of the Elderly in Europe”) is a cross-sectional study of people between 60 and 84 years living in Stuttgart. Anxiety and depression are assessed with the “Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale” (HADS). We assessed 1) socio-demographic variables and 2) exposition towards violence in the past 12 months as independent variables.

Results: The results indicate that violence exposition in the past 12 months is a risk factor for anxiety (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.32–3.84) and depression (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.27–4.04) among the elderly population in Germany. Anxiety is associated with female gender (OR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.62–6.25). Anxiety and depression are associated with times of unemployment in the life course.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that exposure to violence in old age should be assessed to allow targeted prevention and intervention programmes.