A Nationwide Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes toward the Abuse of Older Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study among the General Population of the Republic of Croatia

Abstract

Understanding the frequency of abuse suffered by older individuals proves challenging when attempting to link it to everyday social issues due to variations in the interpretation and comprehension of this form of mistreatment. This cross-sectional study conducted in May and June of 2023 aimed to investigate the perceptions and attitudes of the general population in the Republic of Croatia regarding the abuse of older individuals. The research included 822 volunteers aged from 18 to 64 who actively engaged in social media. A self-developed, structured questionnaire (based on an exhaustive review of the relevant literature) that underwent a thorough pilot testing phase to confirm clarity, coherence, and respondent comprehension was used to collect the study data. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests for associations between variables, and Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests to assess the relationships between correct answers and observed indicators, with a significance level set at p < 0.05 (two-tailed). It can be concluded that there was a statistically significant difference in knowledge of possible causes of abuse depending on the age groups of the respondents (p = 0.001) and their present employment within the health or social system (p < 0.001). A prevailing neutral stance was observed among the majority of the surveyed population regarding the attribution of responsibility to older individuals themselves for any mistreatment they face. When confronted with scenarios illustrating abusive behaviour towards older individuals, the participants exhibited nuanced recognition across different forms of abuse, with the exception of financial abuse, where most participants indicated that there was no abuse or possible abuse. These findings underscore the need for enhanced public education initiatives concerning the diverse manifestations of abuse and neglect within the community of older individuals in the Republic of Croatia. Additionally, there is a pressing need for counselling services aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the unique needs of older individuals and the underlying factors contributing to abusive behaviour. Through such measures, societal awareness and support mechanisms can be fortified, fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and protection for older adults.