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By: Lt Col Dr Regina. P.F..
1.Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecological Nursing, P.K. Das College of Nursing, Ottapalam, Kerala, India.
Elder abuse among widows remains a critical yet under-researched social issue, particularly in rural communities where gender and age-related discrimination are prevalent. This study was conducted in a rural area of the Thrissur district with a sample size of 100 widowed elderly women. The primary objectives were to determine the prevalence of abuse and maltreatment among widows using semi-structured interviews and to explore preventive measures to address such abuses. The findings revealed alarming rates of multiple forms of abuse experienced by the participants. Psychological abuse was the most common (48%), followed by care neglect (12.5%), verbal abuse (12%), financial abuse (11%), physical abuse (10%), social abuse (5%), and sexual abuse (2%). Many widows suffered from more than one type of abuse simultaneously such as psychological combined with financial or social abuse. The data indicated that most of these were domestic abuses, with perpetrators predominantly being close family members. Specifically, 55% of the abusers were daughters-in-law, 20% were daughters, 12% sons, 8% sons-in-law, 3% others, and 2% grandchildren. Disturbingly, only 32% of the victims were aware that they were being subjected to abuse. The study highlights the urgent need for multidimensional interventions to prevent elder abuse among widows. Preventive strategies should include stronger legal protections, improved social support mechanisms, increased community awareness, and economic empowerment initiatives. Addressing this issue requires both grassroots-level efforts and systemic policy changes to ensure the dignity, safety, and well-being of elderly widows in vulnerable rural settings.
Keywords: Elder abuse, widows, rural communities, psychological abuse, social support
Citation:
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