Τίτλος:
Social Support, Socio-Economic Status, Health and Abuse among Older
People in Seven European Countries
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
Background: Social support has a strong impact on individuals, not least
on older individuals with health problems. A lack of support network and
poor family or social relations may be crucial in later life, and
represent risk factors for elder abuse. This study focused on the
associations between social support, demographics/socio-economics,
health variables and elder mistreatment.
Methods: The cross-sectional data was collected by means of interviews
or interviews/self-response during January-July 2009, among a sample of
4,467 not demented individuals aged 60-84 years living in seven European
countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, and
Sweden).
Results: Multivariate analyses showed that women and persons living in
large households and with a spouse/partner or other persons were more
likely to experience high levels of social support. Moreover, frequent
use of health care services and low scores on depression or discomfort
due to physical complaints were indicators of high social support. Low
levels of social support were related to older age and abuse,
particularly psychological abuse.
Conclusions: High levels of social support may represent a protective
factor in reducing both the vulnerability of older people and risk of
elder mistreatment. On the basis of these results, policy makers,
clinicians and researchers could act by developing intervention
programmes that facilitate friendships and social activities in old age.
Συγγραφείς:
Melchiorre, Maria Gabriella
Chiatti, Carlos
Lamura, Giovanni and
Torres-Gonzales, Francisco
Stankunas, Mindaugas
Lindert, Jutta
and Ioannidi-Kapolou, Elisabeth
Barros, Henrique
Macassa, Gloria
and Soares, Joaquim F. J.
Εκδότης:
Public Library of Science
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0054856
