Citation

Oveisi S, Karimi R, Mahram M. J. Elder Abuse Negl. 2014; 26(3): 337-340.

Affiliation

Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences , Qazvin , Iran.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08946566.2014.883947

PMID

24456091

Abstract

This commentary provides a first look at self-reported instances of elder abuse by a sample of people 60 years and older living in Qazvin, Iran.

METHODS: 600 community-dwelling persons, drawn from the registry files of each health center in Qazin, completed questionnaires during April to October 2012.

RESULTS: At least 80% of the participants reported experiencing some form of psychological abuse, financial abuse and/or neglect at least once during a two month period. Physical and sexual abuse were rarely reported.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite a strong Iranian cultural emphasis on respect for elders, the self-reporting of elder abuse, especially psychological abuse, is greater than our expectation. We recommend that health-related policies and programs begin to identify elder abuse and neglect as a first step in prevention.

Language: en