Rural-Urban Differences in the Prevalence and Correlates of Elder Mistreatment
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Rural and urban areas differ in terms of age structure, health outcomes, and access to resources, but there is limited research on rural-urban differences in elder mistreatment. This study addresses that gap. We used data from Round 3 of the National Social Life, Health & Aging Project (NSHAP) survey ( n = 2,333) to examine rural-urban differences in rates of 11 indicators of elder mistreatment, overall and by individual indicators. We conducted logistic regression models and generated predicted probabilities adjusting for sociodemographic and social well-being characteristics. Elder mistreatment was less common among rural than urban older adults (adjusted predicted probability 41.5% vs. 49.5%, P < 0.01). Rates were also higher for urban older adults for nearly every individual indicator of mistreatment. Rates of elder mistreatment were high (>40%) for both rural and urban older adults, but urban older adults faced a greater risk, requiring attention to urban risk and rural resilience.
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology
Authors: Carrie Henning-Smith, Ingrid Jacobson, Dionne Bailey, Megan Lahr, Alexis Swendener, Marguerite DeLiema
Institution: University of Minnesota
Language: English
Topic: Elder Abuse and Neglect
Subfield: Demography
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G1155593834, G260685433, G3540457132, G4086209287, G460599781, Interdisciplinary Network on Rural Population Health and Aging, National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, G9000034916, G9000080942, National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project: Rounds 4.2 and 4.4, National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project: Round 5
OpenAlex ID: W7117367783