| Data Search Directions | Summarize Your Findings |
| Identify the population of interest and health condition/event to your practice. Specify how you define the population (e.g., age, gender, health status, etc.). | Domestic violence is a social problem that continues to affect older women living in the United States. Older women aged 45 years and above are under the risk of domestic violence. A study done by Warmling, Lindner, and Coehlo (2017) found that older women aged above 55 years were largely affected by cases of domestic violence in comparison to young women. Notably, Huecker & Smock (2019) find that elderly abuse range from 3% to 10%. The research outcome showed that older women are at an increased risk of domestic violence in the nation. Research shows that women aged 45 years and above experience various forms of domestic violence that range at a prevalence of between 16.5% to 54.5% (Pathak, Dhairyawan & Tariq, 2019). They often encounter physical, sexual, or even psychological violence by their former or current spouse. The perpetuation of violence against this age group creates distinct health issues that affect their welfare. Domestic violence poses greater challenges towards the physical and mental status of older women. Most of them are likely to contract illnesses and conditions such as muscular and skeletal pains, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and suicidal thoughts (Pathak, Dhairyawan & Tariq, 2019). Notably, it also creates issues such as low self-esteem, isolation, and the development of insecurity feelings and attitudes. Thus, it is vital to address the vice for the health and well-being of older women. |
| Summarize your search process. Specify what sources, organizations and agencies for health statistics were searched to find relevant health statistics. Be specific and thorough in your search. | Step 1: Selection of the topic of evaluation. I explored a topic of interest for analysis. I found that domestic violence among women aged 45 years and above experience domestic violence. While society is expected to create a safe environment for these aged women, men are busy abusing and violating them.
Step 2: Here, I explored the topic further by looking into data and information related to domestic violence among older women. I focused on finding information at the national and state level. Scholarly articles and the National Institute of Health (NIH) provided me with valuable information on domestic violence prevalence levels among older women. Step 3: Formulation of data on the occurrence of domestic violence among older women. The analysis focused on aspects such as disability, dependence on partners, low-income, and alcohol use as the fueling factors of intimate partner violence. Evidently, older women are survivors of domestic violence (Crockett, Brandl & Dabby, 2015). Step 4: Collection phase where relevant data and information from scholarly sources and the National Institute of Health was obtained. |
| Provide the health information obtained in the search. Include any significant statistics and information on risk factors and trends in epidemiology data on your topic. | Older women living in the US are under threat of various physical and mental challenges due to exposure to domestic violence. Huecker AND Smock (2019) find that 2% of older women suffer physical abuse, 5% financial abuse, and 5% experienced emotional abuse from their spouses. Further research by Warmling, Lindner, and Coelho (2017) shows that older women in the US are affected by intimate partner violence with statistics showing that domestic abuse accounts for 13-50% of abuse reports in the nation. These statistics create an issue of concern among key stakeholders, such as health practitioners and family professionals. Most of these incidents emerge from issues such as low-income, disability, dependence on one partner. Additionally, inappropriate behaviors such as the consumption of alcohol may be a factor behind the development of aggression and engagement in domestic abuse. The information obtained enables the audience to assess the social vice and its implications. It calls for a dire need to protect the health and welfare of older women in the US community. Addressing domestic violence targeting older women calls for prompt and strategic actions. All stakeholders should liaise to establish and implement viable policies and plans that protect and safeguard the lives of older women. |
| Interpret your findings and determine if there is any evidence of health disparities based on the population examined. Address multicultural factors that influence the health issue. Provide
several detailed examples and include interventions and programs that aim to improve health disparities. |
Domestic violence targeted at older women has adverse physical and mental implications. Most of them are likely to develop long-term health challenges such as skeletal pain, anxiety, and suicidal mindset (Pathak, Dhairyawan & Tariq, 2019). Notably, they suffer from low self-esteem and isolation at the community level. The abolishment of domestic violence in the older generation calls for mass education to educate and inform the abusers about the implications of their behavior. Men’s increased power and domination over women is one of the cultural issues that lead to advanced cases of domestic violence. Lien and Lorentzen (2019) state that men have an economic privilege and physically superior. These elements make them dominate their women. For example, if a man demands the woman to do something and she objects, she may be abused or violent due to the failure to adhere to the rules set by the ‘head of the family.’ Thus, mass education is a beneficial intervention measure that addresses the vice. Older women deserve a safe and secure family environment. It is also vital to educate them about taking appropriate steps when they encounter violence at the family level. |
References
Crockett, C., Brandl, B., & Dabby, F. C. (2015). Survivors in the Margins: The invisibility of violence against older women. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 27(4-5), 291-302. https://doi.org/10.1080/08946566.2015.1090361
Huecker, M. R., & Smock, W. (2019). Kentucky Domestic Violence. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Lien, M. I., & Lorentzen, J. (2019). The Need to Develop the Established Theory of Partner Violence Further. Men’s Experiences of Violence in Intimate Relationships (pp. 157-171). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Pathak, N., Dhairyawan, R., & Tariq, S. (2019). The Experience of Intimate Partner Violence among Older Women: A narrative review. Maturitas, 121, 63-75.
Warmling, D., Lindner, S. R., & Coelho, E. B. S. (2017). Intimate partner violence prevalence in the elderly and associated factors: systematic review. Ciencia & saude coletiva, 22, 3111-3125. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017229.12312017