@misc{10481/64462,
year = {2013},
month = {1},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10481/64462},
abstract = {Background: Social support has a strong impact on individuals, not least on older individuals with health problems. A lack
of support network and poor family or social relations may be crucial in later life, and represent risk factors for elder abuse.
This study focused on the associations between social support, demographics/socio-economics, health variables and elder
mistreatment.
Methods: The cross-sectional data was collected by means of interviews or interviews/self-response during January-July
2009, among a sample of 4,467 not demented individuals aged 60–84 years living in seven European countries (Germany,
Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden).
Results: Multivariate analyses showed that women and persons living in large households and with a spouse/partner or
other persons were more likely to experience high levels of social support. Moreover, frequent use of health care services
and low scores on depression or discomfort due to physical complaints were indicators of high social support. Low levels of
social support were related to older age and abuse, particularly psychological abuse.
Conclusions: High levels of social support may represent a protective factor in reducing both the vulnerability of older
people and risk of elder mistreatment. On the basis of these results, policy makers, clinicians and researchers could act by
developing intervention programmes that facilitate friendships and social activities in old age.},
organization = {European Commission, through the Executive Agency for Health and Consumers (EAHC) 	
2007123},
publisher = {Public Library Science},
title = {Social Support, Socio-Economic Status, Health and Abuse among Older People in Seven European Countries},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0054856},
author = {Melchiorre, Maria Gabriella and Torres Gonzales, Francisco},
}