Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Rape and physical violence: comparison of assault characteristics in older and younger adults in the National Women's
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-0742, USA. acierno@musc.edu
Abstract:
This study compared characteristics of recently occurring assaults against younger adults (age 18-34 years) with those of distant-past assaults against older adults (age 55-89 years) when they were younger. Responses of a subset of participants in the National Women's Study were the source of data for this study. With the exception of perceived life threat during assault (more prevalent in younger women), assault characteristics did not vary greatly by age in terms of proportions reporting that they had seen the perpetrator before; the event was one in a series; they or the perpetrator were under the influence of a substance; they actually experienced injury; and they reported the assault to authorities. Consistent with previous research, younger women reported greater prevalences of assault than older women.
Related Concept Videos
Bullying
Conduct Disorder
Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction
Aggression
Relationship Formation
Longitudinal Research