- 2025-07
- Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.) 64
Study Design
- Type
- Meta-Analysis
- Sample size
- n = 54,610
- Population
- older adults
- Methods
- PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and the four Chinese databases were searched from inception until May 2024. Data were analyzed for prevalence and influencing factors using STATA 15.
Aims
To evaluate the prevalence and influencing factors of self-neglect in older adults.Methods
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and the four Chinese databases were searched from inception until May 2024. Data were analyzed for prevalence and influencing factors using STATA 15.Results
The protocol of meta-analysis has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024537396). A total of 23 studies were included, with a total sample size of 54610. The prevalence of self-neglect was 28 % (95 %CI: 0.21, 0.36). The prevalence of self-neglect among older adults in the US was 14 % (95 % CI: 0.07, 0.21), while in China it was 45 % (95 % CI: 0.23, 0.68). The prevalence of assessment using the scale of elderly self-neglect was 48 % (95 % CI: 0.08, 0.88) while using the scale of the screening scale for elder abuse was 23 % (95 % CI: 0.21, 0.25). The prevalence reported according to the Adult Protective Services was 16 % (95 % CI: 0.11, 0.20). Potential protective factors for self-neglect in older adults included higher income levels (r: -0.20, 95 % CI: -0.24, -0.16) and high social support (r: -0.14, 95 % CI: -0.19, -0.09). Potential risk factors included older age (r: 0.13, 95 % CI: 0.09, 0.17), poor self-care (r: 0.13, 95 % CI: 0.07, 0.20), depression (r: 0.29, 95 % CI: 0.20, 0.39), and cognitive impairment (r: 0.05, 95 % CI: 0.03, 0.07).Conclusions
In the future, families, hospitals, and society can implement targeted interventions based on the aforementioned influencing factors to facilitate the early recognition of self-neglect and mitigate its adverse consequences.