ELDER ABUSE AND DEPRESSION AMONG ELDERLY PERSONS IN PUBLIC HEALTH CENTRES IN OBIO-AKPOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study investigated elder abuse and depression among elderly persons attending public health centres in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. A correlational research design was adopted and a stratified random sample of 830 elderly persons (aged 60 years and above) was selected from public health facilities across the LGA. Standardized instruments, including the Physical Abuse Scale, Neglect Scale, Financial Exploitation Scale, Emotional Abuse Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), were used for data collection. Simple regression analysis revealed that physical abuse (R² = .242, p < .001), neglect (R² = .279, p < .001), financial exploitation (R² = .219, p < .001) and emotional abuse (R² = .315, p < .001) significantly predicted depression among elderly respondents. Emotional abuse emerged as the strongest predictor, explaining 31.5% of the variance in depression scores. The findings underscore the urgent need for elder protection policies, improved caregiver training and psychosocial support programs to mitigate abuse-related depression among older adults. Strengthening community awareness and social protection systems is recommended to safeguard the dignity and mental health of Nigeria’s rapidly growing elderly population.