Mistreatment and Self-Reported Emotional Symptoms: Results From the National Elder Mistreatment Study

• NCJ Number: 241042
• Date Published: July 2012
• Author(s): Ron Acierno,, Ananda B. Amstadter,, Angela M. Begle,, Josh M. Cisler,
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: A Population-Based Assessment of Elder Mistreatment in Non-Institutionalized Adults

Annotation

This study investigated whether a recent history of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse is associated with self-reported emotional symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression) among a representative sample of older adults.

Abstract

Many community-residing older adults in the United States report past year mistreatment; however, little is known about mental health correlates of abuse. This study investigated whether a recent history of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse is associated with self-reported emotional symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression) among a representative sample of older adults. Results demonstrated that each abuse type increased likelihood of reporting emotional symptoms; when other known correlates were controlled, only emotional abuse remained a significant predictor. Additional study of mistreatment-related correlates of depression and anxiety is needed, with a focus on the often overlooked category of emotional mistreatment. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.