Occurrence of violence in the elderly and its associated factors

Factors Associated With Elder Abuse According to the Levels of Social Determinants in Brazil

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the factors associated with elder abuse according to the levels of social determinants.

METHODOLOGY

This is a quantitative and multicentric study, with a cross-sectional cut. It was developed in two teaching hospitals in Paraíba, Brazil, with 323 older adults, from July 2019 to February 2020. Data were collected using the Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test and Conflict Tactics Scale-1 and then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

There was a significant association between risk for violence and female gender (p = 0.004), residing with grandchildren (p = 0.025), and having four or more comorbidities (p < 0.00). Physical violence was associated with income (p = 0.048). A positive correlation was observed between the number of comorbidities and the risk for violence score (p < 0.001), psychological violence (p = 0.004), and physical violence (p = 0.005). The probability of presenting a risk to violence increased by 2.08 times for women, 1.03 times for those who were illiterate, and 7.03 times for those with four or more comorbidities.

CONCLUSION

The social determinants of health that integrate the macrosystem, such as income and number of comorbidities, correlate with situations of violence.

Elder abuse: a conceptual analysis

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the concept of elder abuse and identify its respective antecedents, attributes and consequents.

METHODS

this is a conceptual analysis according to Walker and Avant's proposition. The search for the concept was mediated by an integrative review in the LILACS, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and BDENF databases.

RESULTS

as antecedents, female, family member, low social support and low income or socioeconomic conditions stand out. Attributes were threats and/or intimidation, intentional use of physical force, using resources without authorization, unwanted sexual activity, offering low insufficient amount of nutrients for older adults and not meeting older adults' affective/emotional needs. Consequents were psychological disorders, dependence on aggressors, environment of insecurity and damage/loss of human rights or human dignity.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

the phenomenon under discussion is broad and multifaceted, suggesting expansion of studies related to the theme in order to explore it in detail.

Elderly Abuse and Neglect on Population Health: Literature Review and Interventions from Selected Countries

Elderly abuse and neglect are among the primary public health problems linked to global demographic changes in the population, impacting not only the well-being of the elderly but also the growth of the nation or economy. This article discusses the effects of elder abuse and neglect on population health from the national and international perspectives through a narrative review of previously published articles on the concept of aging, the prevalence of elderly abuse and neglect, its risk factors and effects, and finally measures, legal perspectives, and recommendations to curb it. Interventions in Malaysia and selected nations, including Indonesia, South Korea, the United States, Australia, and Hong Kong, are examined. This issue is important as the majority of countries are moving toward being elderly populations. Improving global surveillance and the monitoring of instances is essential to inform policy actions to prevent elder abuse. In addition, a thorough assessment of the identified risk factors for violence and steps to prevent violence is required.

The relationship of general, physical, and psychological violence with depressive symptoms and cognition in elders (cross-sectional study)

OBJECTIVES

to analyze the relationship of general, physical, and psychological violence with depressive symptoms and cognition in the elderly.

METHODS

quantitative, cross-sectional study, carried out with 323 elders from the Brazilian northeast. Data collection used a sociodemographic instrument; the Conflict Tactics Scales Form R; the Geriatric Depression Scale; and the Mini-Mental State Examination. The analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

as violence increases, so do the depressive symptoms; the opposite was true when comparing violence with cognitive involvement. There is a correlation between physical and psychological violence and depressive symptoms; more depressive elders are from 1.96 to 3.00 times more likely to be the victims of psychological and physical violence, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

general, physical, and psychological violence is associated with depressive symptoms; those with less cognitive alterations are more vulnerable to abuse. Elders with depressive symptoms are more likely to suffer psychological and physically violence.

Risk of violence and frailty syndrome among older adults treated at a hospital service

OBJECTIVES

to assess the association between risk of violence and frailty syndrome among hospitalized older adults.

METHODS

quantitative, analytical and cross-sectional research, carried out with older adults in two university hospitals. Data collection was performed using the Brazil Old Age Schedule, Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test and Edmonton Frail Scale instruments. It was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

risk of violence was higher among women (68.9%), over 70 years old (64.7%), with more than 3 years of study (68.9%), without relationship (67.1%), who do not work (65.1%) and with income above 1 minimum wage (65.2%). There is a significant association between risk of violence and frailty (72.3%; p<0.001) and a positive correlation between the instrument scores (r=0.350; p-value<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

risk of violence was associated with being female and frailty. The study is expected to encourage further discussions related to the theme and nursing practice.

Clinical validation of nursing diagnosis Fragile Elderly Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

to clinically validate the nursing diagnosis of NANDA-I Frail Elderly Syndrome in hospitalized elderly.

METHOD

a methodological study, guided by the STROBE instrument, composed of 40 elderly people admitted to a teaching hospital in Paraíba, Brazil. The last phase of Hoskins' Nursing Diagnostic Validation Model: clinical validation was adopted. Data collection took place from August to December 2018. The data were analyzed using univariate descriptive statistics. It was approved by the hospital's ethics and research committee.

RESULTS

nine defining characteristics were validated; seven risk factors; six populations at risk and two associated conditions.

CONCLUSION

the validation of the nursing diagnosis of the Frail Elderly Syndrome in our socio-cultural context was considered appropriate, being an important step for critical thinking that underlies the decision-making of nurses in the care of the frail elderly, as well as professional practice.

Violência contra a pessoa idosa no município de Campinas, São Paulo, nos últimos 11 anos: uma análise temporal

Resumo Objetivo Analisar as notificações dos casos de violência contra a pessoa idosa, no período de 2009 a 2019, através de dados obtidos no Sistema de Notificação de Violência (SISNOV) no município de Campinas, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Método Trata-se de uma pesquisa epidemiológica de abordagem quantitativa, descritiva e tendência temporal. Para as análises das notificações seguiu-se a observação das informações de acordo com as variáveis sociodemográficas, característica da violência e de seu agressor; e no tocante a análise temporal anual: faixa etária, tipos de violência, meio de agressão e sexo do autor. Resultados 1.217 idosos sofreram agressões, sendo que deste total (69,5%) eram do sexo feminino, com predomínio na faixa etária entre 60 a 69 anos (35,8%), viúvas (37,7%) e de cor branca (64,4%). O tipo mais prevalente de violência foi a negligência (33,1%), sendo a residência (92.9%) o local de maior ocorrência. O principal autor das agressões era do sexo masculino (55,6%), o meio utilizado para praticá-la foi a força corporal (24,4%). A análise de tendência temporal evidenciou aumento de: faixa etária: 60-69 anos, violência física, meios utilizados para a sua prática: força corporal, objetos e envenenamento, e sexo do agressor: ambos. Conclusão Os resultados obtidos foram ao encontro de outras pesquisas, indicando uma tendência no perfil das vítimas e agressão, salienta-se ainda a importância desse grupo conhecer os seus direitos e serem incentivados a realizar as denúncias, bem como os profissionais de saúde, para que se elaborem políticas públicas cada vez mais eficazes para o enfrentamento dessa questão.

Association of the functional capacity and violence in the elderly community

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the relationship between the functional capacity of elderly community members and the sociodemographic and violence characteristics.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, epidemiological, analytical study with 159 elderly people. For data collection, a questionnaire was used for sociodemographic characterization; the Katz, Lawton and Brody scale; a questionnaire adapted from the FIBRA network; and the Conflict Tactics Scales, analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression models.

RESULTS

It was observed that the sociodemographic variables influence the prevalence of functional dependence for basic activities of daily living and reduction in advanced activities in elderly people with psychological and physical violence.

CONCLUSION

The dependence of the elderly for basic and intermediate activities is related to characteristics such as advanced age, work exercise and knowing how to read and write. The participants' functional dependence can favor violent outcomes, whether physical or psychological.