RE-EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE ACROSS THE LIFE COURSE: CHILDHOOD MALTREATMENT AND ELDER ABUSE VICTIMIZATION

Abstract Guided by the cumulative disadvantage hypothesis, the present study examines recurrent victimization experiences across the life course and their impact on psychological health in later life. Using data from the 2010-2011 Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, we explored the latent structure of histories of childhood maltreatment (i.e., neglect, emotional/physical abuse, witness of domestic violence) and elder abuse victimization among 5,968 older adults (average age of 71 years). We also investigated whether membership in specific latent classes, particularly experiencing both childhood and elder victimization, would be associated with psychological functioning in late life. We identified five latent classes: “Never victimized” (66% of respondents), “Abused as child” (16%), “Abused and neglected as child” (9%), “Abused as elder” (6%), and “Abused as child and elder” (2%). Also, the “abused as child and elder” class consistently was associated with negative psychological outcomes (i.e., distress and somatic symptom severity) and lower levels of psychological well-being.

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Re-experiencing Violence Across the Life Course: Histories of Childhood Maltreatment and Elder Abuse Victimization

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gby035 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (5) ◽

pp. 853-857 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jooyoung Kong ◽

Scott D Easton

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Sexual Abuse ◽

Life Course ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Emotional Abuse ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Future Research ◽

The Life Course ◽

Physical And Sexual Abuse

Abstract Objectives This study primarily examines the associations between histories of childhood maltreatment (i.e., neglect, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse) and elder abuse victimization and explores whether gender moderates the associations. Methods We conducted a secondary data analysis of 5,968 older adults (mean age = 71 years) based on data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (2010–2011). Using retrospective self-reports of childhood and current (past 12 months) victimization experiences, logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the effects of early-life adversities on the likelihood of elder abuse victimization. Results Results indicate that childhood emotional abuse and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) were associated with greater risk of being abused as older adults, after controlling for childhood and adult background factors. We also found that the effect of CSA on elder abuse victimization was weaker for women than men. Discussion Findings suggest that the phenomenon of revictimization may occur not only in early and middle adulthood, but also in late life. To advance our understanding of victimization across the life course, future research on root causes of elder abuse should include histories of child abuse.

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A Faith to Move Mountains? Childhood Abuse, Religious Change, and Mental Health at Midlife

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1493 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 461-461

Author(s):

Laura Upenieks

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Life Course ◽

Childhood Abuse ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Religious Attendance ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Religious Importance ◽

The Life Course

Abstract Of all the various forms of adversity experienced during childhood, childhood maltreatment (emotional and physical abuse) is shown to have the largest impacts on mental health and well-being. Yet we still have a limited understanding of why some victims of early maltreatment suffer immense mental health consequences later on in the life course, while others are able to cushion the blow of these early insults. Using two waves of data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), this study considers change in religiosity as a buffer across three dimensions for victims of childhood abuse: religious importance, attendance, and the specific act of seeking comfort through religion. Results suggest that increases in religious comfort during adulthood are positively associated with adult mental health for victims of abuse, while decreases in religious comfort over time were associated with worse mental health. Changes in religious attendance and religious importance were not significant associated with mental health for victims of abuse. Taken together, my results show that the stress-moderating effects of religion for victims of childhood maltreatment are contingent on the stability or increases or decreases in religiosity over the life course, which has been overlooked in previous work.

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Intergenerational Transmission of Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence: A Potential Connection to Elder Abuse

Families in Society The Journal of Contemporary Social Services ◽

10.1177/1044389418782429 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 99 (3) ◽

pp. 256-268 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nathan H. Perkins ◽

Marcia Spira ◽

Julie Erin Key

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Life Course ◽

Family Violence ◽

Intergenerational Transmission ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Potential Risk Factor ◽

Sibling Violence ◽

Future Studies ◽

The Life Course

This article focuses on the persistence of physical and emotional sibling violence through the life course and its potential connection to elder abuse. Theories relevant to the linkage between sibling violence and elder abuse are presented and discussed. Highlighted is the need for future studies to examine the association between these forms of family violence in order for preventative and intervention mechanisms to be created and implemented. Implications for practice include the need to assess physical and emotional sibling violence as a potential risk factor for elder abuse.

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Crime Prevention Over the Life Course: Elder Abuse

Preventing Crime and Violence ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-44124-5_12 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 123-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Thomas Goergen ◽

Marie Beaulieu

Keyword(s):

Life Course ◽

Crime Prevention ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

The Life Course

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MISTREATMENT ACROSS THE LIFE COURSE AS A MAJOR PREDICTOR OF ELDER ABUSE: A CANADIAN NATIONAL STUDY

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igx004.1773 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. 499-499

Author(s):

L. McDonald

Keyword(s):

Life Course ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

National Study ◽

Major Predictor ◽

The Life Course

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The Intersection of Childhood Maltreatment and Marriage: Implications for Adult’s Health

Journal of Family Issues ◽

10.1177/0192513x20984505 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0192513X2098450

Author(s):

Michael Fitzgerald ◽

Bryan Spuhler ◽

Cailyn Hamstra

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Life Course ◽

Physical Health ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Health Problems ◽

Marital Support ◽

Physical Health Problems ◽

The Life Course ◽

Marital Strain ◽

Mental And Physical Health

Childhood maltreatment is associated with mental and physical health problems across the life course. Marriages may be a risk factor for continued mental and physical health problems or, alternatively, they could buffer the effects of maltreatment severity on adult health. Using data from the study of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), we evaluated marital support and strain as moderators of child maltreatment and adults’ subjective evaluations of physical and mental health in a sample of 760 married adults using the life course perspective. Results show that the interaction between childhood maltreatment severity and marital strain was associated with poorer physical health and was marginally associated with mental health. Marital support did not significantly interact with childhood maltreatment severity in predicting adult mental or physical health. Results suggest maltreatment and marital strain interact resulting in a greater accumulation of disadvantage leaving adults at risk for health problems.

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