Beyond Intimate Partner Violence: Gender-Based Violence, Perceived Health, and Suicidal Behavior in Spanish Women 65+

Gender-based violence (GBV) against older women represents a critical public health problem and human rights violation. Older women experience unique vulnerabilities and invisibility regarding GBV, with severe health consequences. The aim was to examine the rates and health impacts of GBV among Spanish women aged ≥65 years and analyze its effect on health and suicidal behavior. A descriptive study analyzed data collected in 2019 from a nationwide macro-survey conducted in Spain, which included 9,568 women aged 16 years and older. A total of 2,357 older women, aged 74.2 ± 6.9 years, were selected. Sociodemographic variables were collected, as was lifetime GBV exposure by perpetrator type (intimate partner violence [IPV], non-partner, combined, and any interpersonal) and form (e.g., physical, psychological, economic, sexual, etc.), along with health outcomes (self-rated health and psychological distress) and suicidal behavior. Among participants, 23.4% reported lifetime IPV (psychological: 14.1%; physical: 6.1%; economic: 8.7%; sexual: 6.1%; controlling behaviors: 17.1%), while 9.3% experienced non-partner violence (family perpetrators: 2.9%; strangers: 2.9%). Overall, 29.0% reported any interpersonal violence exposure. IPV was significantly associated with poorer self-rated health (adjusted odds ratios, aOR = 1.64; 95% CI [1.34, 2.01]), higher psychological distress (aOR = 1.80; [1.45, 2.23]), and increased suicidal ideation (aOR = 3.89; [2.80, 5.40]). Non-partner violence showed associations with suicidal ideation (aOR = 2.44; [1.60, 3.72]). These findings show substantial GBV rates among older women and their significant health impacts, highlighting the need for age-specific screening and intervention strategies in geriatric care settings.