Investigating the factors associated with elder abuse in Iranian families: A systematic review and meta-analysis - Payesh (Health Monitor)
Tue, Jun 9, 2026
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1- Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
2- Department of social science education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract:   (23 Views)
Objective(s): Elder abuse within the family setting is considered a type of domestic violence. The majority of review studies have reported the prevalence of different types of elder abuse, and few studies have investigated the factors influencing domestic elder abuse. This study aimed to systematically review the related literature and conduct a meta-analysis of the most important factors associated with elder abuse in Iranian families. 
Method: The national and international databases, including Magiran, Noormags, SID, IranMedex, Civilica, Iran treasure of scientific and technical information (Ganj(, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, Springer, and Emerald were searched from 1991 to 2024. Finally, 15 documents were approved in terms of the Strobe checklist. The selected documents were analyzed by comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software.
Results: The results of the analysis of the effect intensity suggest that gender and economic status are highly effective in elder abuse with the respective combined effects of 0.964 and 0.884. Furthermore, marital status (0.433) and burden of care (0.317) reported moderate effects on elder abuse. Meanwhile, health status (0.248), education (-0.294), and age (0.242) were the factors with mild effects on the dependent variable of the study, i.e., elder abuse.
Conclusion: With the population aging in Iran, it is necessary to consider preventive rules for restricting elder abuse, especially among the female and married elderly in families. Moreover, there should be some guidelines for the protection of the elderly rights and their ownership of personal assets and properties besides providing monetary and non-monetary support for the family caregivers. The suggested actions and measures can decrease the burden of care on care providers, prevent elder abuse, and contribute to the continuation of elderly care and reverence.
Full-Text [PDF 1411 kb]   (8 Downloads)    
type of study: Systematic Reviw | Subject: Social Determinants of Health
Received: 2025/01/28 | Accepted: 2025/11/11 | ePublished ahead of print: 2026/06/9

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