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Lifetime Revictimization: Evidence From the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study
Jooyoung Kong1, Scott D Easton2, Jason M Fletcher1
1University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|September 10, 2024
Summary
Childhood trauma increases the risk of adult intimate partner violence (IPV), which in turn elevates the likelihood of elder abuse victimization. This lifetime victimization pattern is more pronounced in women.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Criminology
- Public Health
Background:
- Elder abuse is a growing public health concern with severe health consequences.
- A life-course perspective on victimization experiences in older adults is underrepresented in research.
- Understanding the long-term impact of early life adversity on later-life victimization is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the indirect effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) on elder abuse victimization through middle adulthood intimate partner violence (IPV).
- To examine gender differences in the association between ACE, IPV, and elder abuse.
- To explore specific childhood victimization types that predict elder abuse via IPV.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, including 5,391 older adults in their early 70s.
- Estimation of mediational and moderated mediation models to assess indirect effects.
- Examination of lifetime victimization experiences from childhood to late adulthood.
Main Results:
- Higher ACE scores were linked to increased IPV victimization in middle adulthood.
- IPV victimization significantly predicted elder abuse victimization.
- The indirect pathway from ACE to elder abuse via IPV was stronger for women than for men.
- Parental physical abuse, sexual abuse, and witnessing domestic violence were significant predictors.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the concept of lifetime victimization, with recurring patterns across the lifespan.
- There is a critical need to assess cumulative victimization and its impact on elder abuse.
- A life-course, trauma-informed approach is essential for effective elder abuse prevention and intervention.
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