Journal article

Long-term effects of childhood abuse on the quality of life and health of older people: Results from the depression and early prevention of suicide in general practice project

Brian Draper, Jon J Pfaff, Jane Pirkis, John Snowdon, Nicola T Lautenschlager, Ian Wilson, Osvaldo P Almeida

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY | BLACKWELL PUBLISHING | Published : 2008

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether childhood physical and sexual abuse are associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes in older age. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, postal questionnaire survey. SETTING: Medical clinics of 383 general practitioners (GPs) in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: More than 21,000 older adults (aged > or = 60) currently under the care of GPs participating in the Depression and Early Prevention of Suicide in General Practice (DEPS-GP) Study. Participants were divided into two groups according to whether they acknowledged experiencing childhood physical or sexual abuse. MEASUREMENTS: Main outcome measures targeted participants' current physical health (Medical Outcomes Stu..

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