Social Psychiatry, Vol. 51 No. 1, 2023.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2023.51
Elderly Victims of Domestic Violence in Croatia: A Cross-sectional Study of a Single Counseling Center
Zrnka Kovačić Petrović
; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb; University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Zagreb
Tina Peraica
orcid.org/0000-0001-7098-3282
; University Hospital Dubrava, Department of Psychiatry, Referral Center for Stress-related Disorders of the Ministry of Health, Zagreb; University Department for Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split;
Željka Barić
; Home for Children and Adults – Victims of Domestic Violence „Duga-Zagreb“, Zagreb, Croatia
Dragica Kozarić-Kovačić
; University Department for Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split
Abstract
Croatia is one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of domestic violence (DV) and without a national
policy on elder abuse. The aim of the study was to determine the differences between elderly victims (EV) of DV aged 60+
in comparison with younger DV victims (aged <60). A total out of 3164 adults who visited the Counseling Center for DV in
Zagreb, 200 of them were aged 60+. Structured face-to-face interviews to collect socio-demographic data, types of abuse,
perpetrators and reporting of abuse, and types of interventions were applied. To identify differences between the elderly
(60+) and younger (<60) DV victims regarding the socio-demographic characteristics, characteristics of abuse, and related
interventions Pearson’s χ2 test and z-test with the Bonferroni’s correction were applied. Strength of association between
categorical variables was determined by Cramer’s V. Binary logistic regression determined independent contributions of
socio-demographic characteristics, characteristics of DV, and related interventions in predicting types of abuse experienced
by elder DV victims (60+). EV were more likely lower educated, widowed, retired, abused by their children, siblings, and
other family members, experienced longer DV, financial and a combination of physical and financial abuse compared
to younger DV victims. EV rarely report DV to the authorities due to financial or health-related dependency on family
members who are often the perpetrators. Consequently, prevention and intervention by competent authorities are limited.
Keywords
Elderly; Domestic Violence; Elderly Abuse; Exposure to Violence
Hrčak ID:
304504
URI
Publication date:
21.6.2023.
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