National Elder Mistreatment Study: Race and Ethnicity Findings

• NCJ Number: 243950
• Author(s): Ron Acierno,, Ananda Amstadter,, Melba Alexandra Hernandez-Tejada,, Wendy Muzzy, M.R.A.
• Date Published: September 2013
• Length: 13 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: A Population-Based Assessment of Elder Mistreatment in Non-Institutionalized Adults

Annotation

The prevalence of elder mistreatment with respect to race and ethnicity was examined.

Abstract

The prevalence of elder mistreatment with respect to race and ethnicity was examined in an unweighted sample of 5,777 participants (5,776 participants in weighted sample). Random Digit Dialing methodology was used to select a representative sample of community-dwelling older adults, and the survey was available in English and Spanish. Mistreatment types included emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Race- and ethnicity-based differences were largely absent, and the only observed increase was for physical mistreatment among non-White older adults; however, this association was not sustained in multivariate analyses controlling for income, health status, and social support. Findings are in contrast to prior reports of increased risk of mistreatment in minority populations and point to correlated and modifiable factors of social support and poor health as targets for preventive intervention. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.