Healthy Aging Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2261-7434
+44-77-2385-9429
ISSN: 2261-7434
+44-77-2385-9429
Jihyun Park
Pyeongtaek University, South Korea
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Clin Pediatr
Introduction: Elder abuse and neglect are recognized as significant social concerns globally, intensified by demographic shifts such as the rising proportion of elderly populations. In 2022, local senior protection agencies nationwide reported a total of 19,552 cases, marking a modest increase of 0.8% from the previous year's count of 19,391 cases (Korea Elder Protection Service, 2023). The consequences of elder abuse are severe, contributing to increased risks of premature mortality, higher healthcare utilization, and various physical and psychological symptoms (Lachs & Pillemer, 2004; Yan et al., 2015; Dong et al., 2009). This study aimed to identify potential group types of patterns of elderly abuse and identify the characteristics of each group type to provide empirical basic data for depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and life satisfaction of the elderly. Methods: Data were analyzed from the Survey of Living Condition of Elderly panel study. The study subjects were 9,683 community dwelling people aged 65 years or older who had experienced abuses with physically, sexually, emotionally, economically, neglected and economically neglected. Latent Class Analyses (LCA) were employed to identify homogeneous groups of elderly with similar potential group types of patterns of elderly abuse. Multiple linear models were used to examine the relationships between group patterns of outcomes of depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and life satisfaction. Results: LCA results indicated that three classes fit the data best across the sample and were labeled 'Highly Abused Group (.91%)', ‘Highly Emotional Abused and Neglect Group (.29%)', and ‘Low Abused Group (99.4%)'. Regression analysis controlling for gender, marriage, age, education level, employed indicated that compared with adults in the Low Abused Group, elderly in the highly abused group and the highly emotional abused and neglect group reported more depressive symptoms, higher level of suicidal ideation, and lower level of life satisfaction. The elderly in the highly abused group reported more depressive symptoms than the other two groups (F = 38.33, p < .001). Additionally, those in the highly abused group were more likely to have higher levels of suicidal ideation compared to the elderly in the low abused group (F = 21.66, p < .001). Conversely, individuals in the low abused group expressed higher levels of life satisfaction than those in the other two groups (F = 8.22, p < .001). Discussion: These results underscore the critical need for targeted interventions and support systems tailored to the unique challenges faced by elderly individuals based on their abuse experiences. Strategies aimed at enhancing mental health and life satisfaction should consider the specific characteristics and needs of each group, with particular attention to mitigating the detrimental effects of abuse on older adults' well-being. Future research could explore additional group-specific factors and approaches to further refine interventions and policy recommendations aimed at improving the quality of life for abused elderly populations.
Jihyun Park is a Professor in the Department of Social Welfare at Pyeongtaek University in Kyeonggi-do, South Korea. She holds a degree of MSW and Ph. D from State University of New York, University at Albany. Her fields of special interest include in community based care management, on-term care delivery systems, and more specifically the critical workforce shortages in both South Korea and the United States. Her ongoing research that currently include a multidisciplinary team response to elder abuse and a community-based care coordination initiative for high risk older adults.