NCJ Number
145408
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (1991) Pages: 75-88
Date Published
1991
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This looks at the relationship between retirement and abuse of an elderly spouse. It begins with the assumption that retirement is one of life's stressful events.
Abstract
In the search for a cause of elder abuse, one possible factor commonly suggested is the stress that results from major life events. This article examines whether the stress of retirement has any relationship to one form of elder abuse, spousal violence. A review of the literature led the authors to hypothesize that retirement would have no effect on marital conflict or violence. This study involved a sample of 1,238 persons aged 55 or older. As expected, no significant differences in marital conflict or violence existed between retired persons and people who are still working. The report concludes that retirement may not be a particularly stressful event. Further research involving other stressful life events is needed to prove whether they do in fact have an impact on elder abuse. 5 tables