A Prospective Study on Child Abuse and Elder Mistreatment: Assessing Direct Effects and Associations With Depression and Substance Use Problems During Adolescence and Middle Adulthood.

Few longitudinal studies have tracked patterns of abuse over time and relationships. Findings suggest that child abuse is a risk factor for the perpetration of elder mistreatment by an adult child. Substance use problems may also increase the risk for the perpetration of elder mistreatment. Further longitudinal research is needed to replicate and extend these findings in order to advance prevention and intervention programs and policies.