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.