PREDICTORS OF LATE-LIFE PHYSICAL IPV USING ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND THE WISCONSIN LONGITUDINAL STUDY. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Avent, E; Wilber, K; Gassoumis, Z
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 470
• Page End: 471
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1759
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: The relationships between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and both intimate partner violence (IPV) and health outcomes in adulthood have been examined extensively in the family violence literature. However, studies that use large population data to examine ACEs are scarce. Additionally, when investigating links to IPV, the focus tends to center on early adulthood and overlook older adults who experience IPV. This study uses the Wisconsin Longitudinal Survey (WLS) data to examine whether ACEs are possible predictors of late-life physical IPV (age 60+), looking both at the composite ACEs score and individual ACEs. WLS questions comparable to ACE questions were chosen and recorded as 8 dichotomous variables. These questions covered childhood experiences of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse; protection; parental separation/divorce; alcohol/drug use by household member; and mental illness in a household member. Cross-tabulations and chi-square tests were performed to identify significant associations. Results showed that higher composite ACE scores were significant predictors of late-life physical IPV (X2 ([8]) = 50.04, p< .0001). Several individual ACEs were also significant predictors of late-life physical IPV, including physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, lack of feeling protected, and witnessing domestic violence in the household. These findings begin to develop a knowledge base about one of the multiple paths of lifespan victimization. Further research can help inform the mechanisms of lifespan victimization, which is important for creating effective prevention and intervention strategies for older victims.