Successful ageing in older persons belonging to the Aymara native community: exploring the protective role of psychosocial resources

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyse the process of successful ageing in older persons who state their belonging to a native Chilean ethnic group. There has recently been a notable increase in interest regarding analysis of the cultural processes and variables associated with successful ageing. However, there is a lack of studies analysing successful ageing in native ethnic groups; that is, ethnic communities living in their natural environmental surroundings. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used. The sample was composed by 232 indigenous Aymara persons aged over 60 years who live in the far north of Chile. Data were collected using a questionnaire made up of validated measurement scales for successful ageing, community support, quality of life, religiousness/spirituality, and health. Results: The results suggest that indigenous persons age successfully, particularly in the context of physical functionality. Successful ageing is positively related with community integration, social support from informal systems (social groups), quality of life, and religiousness (forgiveness). In contrast, successful ageing is negatively related with depression. Conclusions: Cultural practices and an active lifestyle are ethnic cultural resources enabling persons to successfully cope with ageing. The results suggest that interventions would benefit from incorporating actions within a context of community integration. Particular attention to preventing deterioration in mental health would help to foster a successful ageing process.

Aging Well for Indigenous Peoples: A Scoping Review

“…Furthermore, having a positive attitude toward life including demonstrating forgiveness, optimism, belief in oneself, and embracing life, were seen as factors that contributed to aging well (15, 65, 66, 72-74, 76, 78, 79, 84, 90). Conversely, negative feelings of hopelessness, depression, and worry presented challenges to aging well (74,77,87,90). Three studies referred to older adults' feelings of being a burden on family and community (49,83,90).…”

“…To achieve health and wellbeing in later life, several factors were identified that contributed to the perception of aging well. Those factors included: maintaining spirituality ( 15 , 66 , 69 , 73 , 74 , 77 – 79 , 83 ); achieving emotional wellbeing ( 15 , 72 , 73 , 75 , 77 , 79 , 80 ); keeping cognitively engaged ( 66 , 73 , 76 , 83 – 85 ); staying active and busy ( 15 , 49 , 64 , 66 , 67 , 73 – 76 , 83 , 87 ); obtaining value and respect ( 15 , 66 , 68 , 73 , 75 , 77 , 78 , 89 , 90 ); and having a sense of purpose ( 83 , 88 , 90 , 94 ). Furthermore, the impact of the health and achievements of the wider family ( 71 , 73 , 85 ), being on traditional lands ( 15 , 63 , 71 , 73 , 80 , 81 , 84 , 87 ), engaging in subsistence lifestyles ( 66 , 67 , 71 , 75 , 84 ), and accessing traditional and healthy foods ( 15 , 66 , 69 , 70 , 73 , …”

“…Having a good spirit was identified as providing a balance in life and a sense of strength ( 83 ). Through maintaining spirituality, there was a sense of guidance toward how to age well ( 15 , 66 , 73 , 74 , 79 , 83 ) while alleviating worry ( 78 ), and keeping an optimistic ( 69 ) and positive attitude ( 15 , 78 ).…”

“…Physical health was viewed as important ( 15 , 49 , 66 , 67 , 73 , 75 , 83 ) but valued through appreciating how engagement in physical activities could provide opportunities for social connectedness ( 83 ), providing a sense of purpose ( 66 , 73 , 83 , 88 ), improving quality of life ( 73 , 90 ), promoting cultural continuity ( 64 ), and, in a practical sense, providing access to food ( 64 ). Physical activities were rarely described as formal or structured, such as visits to a gym, but were more likely to be achieved as a consequence of enacting traditional and subsistence living ( 64 , 66 , 67 , 74 , 75 , 83 ), involvement in community activities ( 66 , 76 , 83 , 87 , 90 , 94 ) or carrying out activities of daily living ( 66 , 83 ).…”

“…Elements of this theme revealed how attitude and an approach to life can impact on the perception of aging well. This includes how older adults used humor in their life ( 65 , 66 , 73 , 83 ), demonstrated resilience ( 15 , 65 , 66 , 73 , 78 – 80 , 90 ), maintained a positive attitude ( 15 , 66 , 72 – 74 , 76 – 79 , 83 – 85 , 90 ), adapted to the changes they face ( 66 , 72 – 75 , 79 , 83 ), and took personal responsibility for their health and wellbeing ( 15 , 66 , 73 , 77 , 83 , 94 ). These concepts are described in the sub-themes of: we're lucky we can laugh at ourselves; you have just to pick yourself up and keep going; and aging well is just being who you are and believing in who you are.…”