Gender differences in the association between elder abuse and pain with depression among older adults in India: insights from a cross-sectional survey

Mar 20, 2025BMC geriatrics

How elder abuse and pain relate to depression differently in older men and women in India

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Abstract

5.2% of older adults reported experiencing abuse, with a higher prevalence among females.

Older adults with both pain and depression are significantly more likely to face abuse.
Females consistently show higher odds of experiencing compared to males.
Specific demographic groups, including those aged 75 and above, unmarried, uneducated, and living in rural areas, are at greater risk of abuse.
The findings suggest a strong association between elder abuse and the presence of .

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BACKGROUND: This study investigates the association between , among older adults in India, with a focus on the interacting effect of gender. Elder abuse is a growing public health concern globally, and understanding its connection with pain and depression is crucial for prevention and intervention strategies, particularly in vulnerable demographic groups.

METHODS: Data were drawn from the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) survey conducted in 2017-18 with the total sample size of 73,396. Study sample based on individuals aged 60 years and above, consisted 31,902 older adults. This study combines two binary variables pain and depression symptoms into a composite binary variable Pain with depression (Yes/No). Pain was assessed by asking question to the participants whether they are often troubled with pain. Depression was evaluated using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies depression Scale known as (CES-D-10), using four categories of scale options. A range from 0 to 10 of composite score is obtained and individual who score more than 4 were taken as depressed. Logistic regression models and Chi-square test of significance were used to analyse the relationship between elder abuse and pain with depression, while controlling for socio-demographic, functional and behavioural factors. Interaction effects of gender were examined to assess differential abuse risk between older male and female.

RESULTS: The analysis revealed that 5.2% of older adults reported experiencing abuse, with a higher prevalence among female. Older adults with pain and depression were significantly more likely to face abuse, with female showing consistently higher odds of abuse compared to male. Specific groups, such as those aged 75 and above, unmarried, uneducated and living in rural areas were at greater risk.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights the strong association between elder abuse, pain with depression, especially among older female. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions among vulnerable groups such as older female, and future research to explore cross- national dynamics and underlying risk factors.

Key numbers

5.2%

Prevalence of

Reported abuse among older adults in India.

2.4×

Increased likelihood of abuse

Comparison of abuse likelihood between those with and without pain and depression.

2.6×

Higher risk for older females

Likelihood of abuse for older females with pain and depression compared to older males.

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Abstract

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