[Risk of violence against older adults: the role of social interactions, social support, and quality of life in the EpiFloripa Aging longitudinal study].

This study aimed to estimate the association between the risk of violence and dimensions related to social interactions, social support, and quality of life among participants in the EpiFloripa Aging longitudinal study. Interviews from the first (2009/2010; n = 1,702), second (2013/2014; n = 1,197), and third waves (2017/2019; n = 1,335) of the cohort of older adults (≥ 60 years) living in the urban area of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, were analyzed. The risk of domestic violence, also characterized by the condition of vulnerability to violence, the outcome of this study, was assessed by the scale Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test, associated with the use of the internet, paid work, participation in social groups, social support (Social Support Scale of the Medical Outcomes Study) and quality of life (CASP-19 - Control, Autonomy, Self-realization and Pleasure). Associations were estimated using a longitudinal analysis model, Generalized Estimation Equations, adjusted for sex, age, education, and income. The prevalence of the outcome was 31.4% (95%CI: 27.8; 35.2) in the second wave and 22.3% (95%CI: 19.1; 25.9) in the third wave. There was a lower occurrence of violence among participants with paid work (OR = 0.67; 95%CI: 0.49; 0.91), participation in social groups (OR = 0.76; 95%CI: 0.63; 0.92) and high social support (OR = 0.44; 95%CI: 0.33; 0.59). Individuals with better quality of life showed lower vulnerability to violence, both in control/autonomy (OR = 0.30; 95%CI: 0.23; 0.38) and self-realization/pleasure (OR = 0.44; 95%CI: 0.34; 0.55). Greater social interactions, social support and better quality of life were associated with a lower occurrence of violence, contributing to the identification of relevant protective factors in aging.