Health-related quality of life in older age and a risk of being a victim of domestic violence

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2014 May-Jun;58(3):388-98. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2013.11.012. Epub 2013 Dec 11.

Abstract

Violence against older people remains a taboo topic in Poland, and is still an under-recognized phenomenon. The aim of this study was to examine the risk of different types of domestic violence in older people in relation to their health-related quality of life as measured by chronic conditions, functional limitations, psychological well-being, depressive symptoms and feelings of social isolation. A cross-sectional study using a standardized questionnaire in a simple random sample of 518 older citizens of Krakow was carried out. A multidimensional logistic regression of data showed that such factors as poor assessment of psychological health, number of chronic conditions, suffering from emotional and social loneliness and lack of social support in everyday life significantly increased the risk of being a victim of domestic violence in older citizens of Krakow.

Keywords: Domestic violence; Health-related quality of life; Older victim.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living / psychology*
  • Aged
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / psychology
  • Elder Abuse / psychology*
  • Elder Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Frail Elderly / psychology*
  • Frail Elderly / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Logistic Models
  • Loneliness / psychology*
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Poland
  • Quality of Life*
  • Risk
  • Social Isolation
  • Social Support
  • Surveys and Questionnaires