Perceived Quality of Life following Elder Mistreatment in Rural India

Using resilience theory, we examined multiple risks (individual, familial, and mistreatment characteristics) and promotive factors (mastery and social support) associated with perceived quality of life following mistreatment and tested two competing models, compensatory and protective models, to explain the role of promotive factors in the mistreatment-wellbeing linkage.

Face-to-face interviews were conducted by administering standardized instruments to 897 randomly selected older adults in rural Tamil Nadu, India. Information from 187 older adults, who, in the interview had reported mistreatment in the past 1 year formed the analysis. Quality of life following mistreatment was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Mistreatment was measured by an adapted version of the Conflict Tactics Scale.

Being single, hailing from a low income family, experiencing high levels of relationship strain, and experiencing more than one type of mistreatment were associated with decreased quality of life. High levels of mastery and social support were associated with high levels of quality of life following mistreatment. There was support for both compensatory and protective-reactive models of resilience. Some of the resources that counteract the negative effects of adversities and mistreatment appear to be effective only at lower levels of mistreatment.

Quality of life following mistreatment was influenced by multiple risk and promotive factors, results that are consistent with resilience theory. Concerted efforts must be undertaken to bolster protective factors and minimize risk factors to enhance quality of life following mistreatment.