Experiences of Elder Abuse and Analysis of Age, Period, and Cohort Effects

Abstract

This study analyzed trends in the prevalence of elder abuse and tested for age, period, and cohort effects. Using data from four waves of the National Survey of the Elderly (2011, 2014, 2017, and 2020), descriptive statistics were employed to examine the prevalence of abuse victimization by year and perpetrators by type of abuse. An APC analysis was conducted to test for age, period, and cohort effects. The results showed that the prevalence of elder abuse decreased over time: 12.7% in 2011, 9.9% in 2014, 9.8% in 2017, and 7.2% in 2020. Physical abuse was the only type of abuse that showed a significant increase, with abuse by friends and neighbors increasing about 3.7 times between 2011 and 2020. Only the period effect was significant in the APC analysis, with significantly lower rates of abuse victimization in 2014, 2017, and 2020 compared to 2011. These findings suggest that effective policies are needed to prevent elder abuse, particularly physical abuse. Preventive measures should take into account the nature of abuse perpetrated by friends and neighbors as well as family members. The findings also highlight the need to expand infrastructure and strengthen policy interventions for the prevention of elder abuse.