Loneliness and Psychosocial Resources among Indigenous and Afro-Descendant Older People in Rural Areas of Chile

Lorena P. Gallardo-Peralta (), José Luis Gálvez-Nieto, Paula Fernández-Dávila and Constanza Veloso-Besio
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Lorena P. Gallardo-Peralta: Department of Social Work, Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Santiago 8320000, Chile
José Luis Gálvez-Nieto: Department of Social Work, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
Paula Fernández-Dávila: Department of Social Work and Social Services, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Constanza Veloso-Besio: School of Psychology, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica 1000007, Chile

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: (1) Background: loneliness is a problem that becomes increasingly acute in old age, with greater repercussions among socially disadvantaged groups such as indigenous and Afro-descendant older adults. The aim of this research is to analyze the psychosocial variables related to loneliness in old age. (2) Methods: a multi-ethnic sample was involved, with the participation of eight indigenous peoples and Afro-descendant tribal people (n = 1.348). Various gerontological scales previously validated among the Chilean population (De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, Brief Resilient Coping Scale, Health Problems Questionnaire, and Family APGAR questionnaire) and a model are contrasted, establishing the relationship between psychosocial variables and loneliness. (3) Results: Structural equation modeling (SEM) showed the existence of indirect relationships between health problems, via family functioning and resilience, and loneliness. Resilience and family functioning were directly related to loneliness (WLSMV-χ 2 ( df = 345) = 875.106, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.992; TLI = 0.991; RMSEA = 0.034 [C.I. 90% = 0.031–0.037]). (4) Conclusions: loneliness has cross-culturally affected older Chilean people living in rural areas and it appears that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on well-being. This study proves that loneliness is related to several psychosocial variables that can be intervened.

Keywords: indigenous; Afro-descendant; older adults; loneliness; family functioning; resilience; main health problems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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