The Relationship Between Personality Traits of Older Adults and Elder Abuse

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the big-five personality traits (extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience) and elder abuse.

In this cross-sectional study, 304 older adults (60 years old and older) were selected by convenience sampling method based on the inclusion criteria among older adults who were referred to the health centers of Marand City, Iran in 2021. To collect data, Hwalek-sengstock elder abuse screen test (HS-EAST) and 10-item personality inventory (TIPI) were used. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23 with t test, chi-square, and logistic regression.

The mean age of the participants was 70.5±7.7 years with almost equal gender distribution. Among the older adults studied, the prevalence of elder abuse was calculated to be 34.2%. The results of logistic regression indicated that the five-big personality traits, especially low conscientiousness, low extroversion, low agreeableness, and high neuroticism after controlling the variables of sex, age, marital status, housing status, education level, employment status, and chronic disease significantly predicts elder abuse (P<0.001, df=12, X2=76.64).

Based on the findings of the present study, it is suggested to pay more attention to the five-big personality traits in the screening and early identification programs of older adults at risk of elder abuse.