Prevalence and 3-year incidence of abuse among postmenopausal women
Charles P Mouton, Rebecca J Rodabough, Susan L D Rovi, Julie L Hunt, Melissa A Talamantes, Robert G Brzyski, Sandra K Burge, Charles P Mouton, Rebecca J Rodabough, Susan L D Rovi, Julie L Hunt, Melissa A Talamantes, Robert G Brzyski, Sandra K Burge
Abstract
Objectives: We examined prevalence, 3-year incidence, and predictors of physical and verbal abuse among postmenopausal women.
Methods: We used a cohort of 91,749 women aged 50 to 79 years from the Women's Health Initiative. Outcomes included self-reported physical abuse and verbal abuse.
Results: At baseline, 11.1% reported abuse sometime during the prior year, with 2.1% reporting physical abuse only, 89.1% reporting verbal abuse only, and 8.8% reporting both physical and verbal abuse. Baseline prevalence was associated with service occupations, having lower incomes, and living alone. At 3-year follow-up, 5.0% of women reported new abuse, with 2.8% reporting physical abuse only, 92.6% reporting verbal abuse only, and 4.7% reporting both physical and verbal abuse.
Conclusions: Postmenopausal women are exposed to abuse at similar rates to younger women; this abuse poses a serious threat to their health.
Source: PubMed