NCJ Number
212546
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 1-24
Date Published
2004
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study explored the patterns and health consequences of robber and assault victimization against elderly and non-elderly victims, as well as gender of victim and victim-offender relationships and examined what elderly victims of violence do in the form of self-protective measures to reduce injury.
Abstract
Police data and victimization survey data indicate that older individuals are significantly less likely to become victims of violence than younger age cohorts. However, research shows a unique vulnerability to victimization and to the health outcomes of victimization for the elderly. The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, to provide an epidemiological assessment of the differential vulnerability that elders, compared to younger victims, had to injury as the result of a violent victimization. Secondly, it examined the factors most related to injurious outcomes for elderly victims. Data for the study were obtained from the redesigned National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) for the years 1992 through 2000. The results underscore the importance of examining the relationship between self-protective behavior and injury separately for passive versus physical forms of resistance, as well as the importance of disaggregating acts of violence into victim/offender relationship specific categories. It was found that victims 65 years of age and older were much more likely to require medical care for their injuries compared to younger victims. However, the results also showed that for elderly victims of violence, non-physical forms of resistance were more effective than either no resistance or physical resistance in reducing the likelihood of being injured. Tables and references