Urban-Rural Divides in Abuse of Older Persons: Implications for Social Well-Being and Nutritional Wellness

Elder abuse has become a critical public health issue with significant consequences for social and nutritional well-being among older individuals. The incidence and impact of such abuse, however, vary depending on geographical contexts. Urban areas frequently contend with issues like social isolation and fragmented family support, while rural areas face challenges such as limited access to services and economic hardships. These differences not only influence the prevalence of elder abuse but also its subsequent effects on health and well-being. Current studies have documented basic prevalence rates, yet the intricate structural and psychosocial mechanisms that vary between these settings remain underexplored, hindering the development of targeted and effective interventions.

The main goal of this Research Topic is to create a robust understanding of how elder abuse affects social and nutritional well-being across urban and rural areas. It aims to explore the ways in which factors like social isolation, economic stress, and service accessibility mediate the relationships between elder abuse and adverse health outcomes. By employing sophisticated analytical techniques, such as Structural Equation Modelling, this Research Topic seeks to uncover both direct and indirect influences of elder abuse, with a focus on identifying key socio-economic and community-level mediators.

To gather further insights across diverse geographical contexts and foster a multi-faceted dialogue, we welcome submissions of the following article types:

• Original Research: Quantitative or qualitative studies that present new empirical data.

• Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: Comprehensive syntheses of existing literature on elder abuse in urban and/or rural settings, identifying patterns, gaps, and overall effect sizes.

• Policy and Practice Reviews: Critical analyses of current policies, service delivery models, or intervention programs, with recommendations for reform tailored to urban or rural contexts.

• Brief Research Reports: Concise articles presenting preliminary or focused findings that warrant rapid dissemination.

• Perspectives and Commentaries: Scholarly opinion pieces that discuss controversial issues, propose new conceptual models, or critically reflect on the field's direction.

• Study Protocols: Detailed descriptions of planned or ongoing research studies, encouraging methodological rigour and collaboration.

Submissions should address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Geographical disparities in the manifestation and prevalence of elder abuse.

• Pathways and mediating factors affecting social and nutritional outcomes.

• Structural and community determinants that influence elder abuse.

• Innovative methods for measuring and analysing elder abuse.

• Tailored interventions to address urban and rural needs, improving overall well-being.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Elder Abuse, Older Persons, Abuse, Geographical disparities

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.