Lifetime abuse and somatic symptoms among older women and men in Europe.

Bahareh Eslami,Maria Gabriella Melchiorre,Henrique Barros,Giovanni Lamura,Joaquim J F Soares,Jutta Lindert,Elisabeth Ioannidi-Kapolou,Mindaugas Stankunas,Francisco Torres-Gonzalez,Mirko Di Rosa

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0220741

Abstract

BackgroundResearch suggests that survivors of interpersonal violence have an increasing experience of bodily symptoms. This study aims to scrutinise the association between lifetime abuse and somatic symptoms among older women and men, considering demographics/socio-economic, social support and health variables.MethodsA sample of 4,467 community-dwelling persons aged 60–84 years (57.3% women) living in seven European countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Sweden) was recruited for this cross-sectional study. Lifetime abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial and injury) was assessed on the basis of the UK study of elder abuse and the Conflict Tactics Scale-2, while somatic symptoms were assessed by the Giessen Complaint List short version.ResultsWomen reported somatic symptoms more frequently than men. Multiple regression analyses revealed that lifetime exposure to psychological abuse was associated with higher levels of somatic symptoms among both women and men, while experiencing lifetime sexual abuse was associated with somatic symptoms only among older women, after adjusting for other demographic and socio-economic variables. Country of residence, older age, and low socio-economic status were other independent factors contributing to a higher level of somatic symptoms.ConclusionsThe positive association between the experience of abuse during lifetime and the reporting of higher levels of somatic symptoms, in particular among older women, seems to suggest that such complaints in later life might also be related to the experience of mistreatment and not only to ageing and related diseases. Violence prevention throughout lifetime could help to prevent somatic symptoms in later life.

Highlights

In Europe, there is an increased concern about abuse and mistreatment against older persons
Multiple regression analyses revealed that lifetime exposure to psychological abuse was associated with higher levels of somatic symptoms among both women and men, while experiencing lifetime sexual abuse was associated with somatic symptoms only among older women, after adjusting for other demographic and socio-economic variables
The positive association between the experience of abuse during lifetime and the reporting of higher levels of somatic symptoms, in particular among older women, seems to suggest that such complaints in later life might be related to the experience of mistreatment and to ageing and related diseases

Summary

Introduction

In Europe, there is an increased concern about abuse and mistreatment against older persons. Studies from some countries (e.g. Ireland, Israel, and the United Kingdom) have reported that the larger number of victims of elder abuse concerns women, different results have been found in other countries as men are more likely to experience abuse in later life, especially financial and emotional abuse [3]. 50.6% of older women aged 60 years and over have reported psychological abuse, 6.2% physical abuse, and 3.5% sexual lifetime abuse [4]. Some studies have focused on the buffering effect of social support on elder abuse especially for women [5], suggesting that low levels of perceived social support are related to older age and abuse across lifespan, psychological abuse [6]. This study aims to scrutinise the association between lifetime abuse and somatic symptoms among older women and men, considering demographics/socioeconomic, social support and health variables

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Results

Conclusion