Women Over 50 Live In Fear, Study Finds
Forget fearing old age, it seems as women grow older those on lower incomes are more likely to fear the threat of violence, a Queensland University of Technology nationwide study has found.
QUT Associate Professor Jan Lovie-Kitchin, from the Faculty of Health, said the study looked at older women’s perceptions of vulnerability and their expressed need to learn to protect themselves against violence.
Professor Lovie-Kitchin said being able to live free of fear and with the confidence to participate in social life beyond the home was an important part of improving the quality of life for older women.
“Fear of violence needs to be recognised as a barrier to older people’s social connectedness and the health and wellbeing of older women specifically.”
“Older women might experience feelings of exposure to danger because of their smaller size and lesser strength,” she said. “But they could also feel vulnerable because of their limited finances and lack of knowledge which might force them to depend on people they don’t necessarily trust. Read more about the study.
Active Aging. Older People And Fear. Social Connections Of Seniors. Problems Of Old People. Women And Violence.