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

(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-χ2 (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.

Influencia de variables organizacionales en la calidad de vida laboral de funcionarios del sector público de salud en el extremo norte de Chile / Influence of Organizational Variables in Quality of Working Life of Officials Public Health Sector in the Far North of Chile

En el presente estudio se describe la calidad de vida laboral y su relación con el clima organizacional, la satisfacción laboral y el engagement en funcionarios de organizaciones públicas de salud de la ciudad de Arica, Chile. Participaron 142 sujetos de ambos sexos. Se utilizaron el Inventario de Calidad de Vida Laboral, el Inventario de Clima Organizacional, el Cuestionario de Satisfacción Laboral S21/26 y el Cuestionario de Engagement. Los resultados muestran una relación significativa entre la calidad de vida laboral y las variables organizacionales medidas, observando la presencia de diferencias significativas en función del estamento administrativo de los funcionarios. Conjuntamente, se encontró que la variable engagement modula la relación entre la calidad de vida laboral, clima organizacional y satisfacción laboral. Estos resultados evidencian la asociación entre las variables organizacionales e interpersonales que confluyen en el ámbito laboral con las valoraciones subjetivas que los sujetos construyen sobre las características de su entorno de trabajo, modulando su implicación y productividad.

We describe the Quality of Working Life and its relationship with the Organizational Climate, Job Satisfaction and Engagement in officials of public health organization in the city of Arica, Chile. 142 adult subjects of both sexes. We used the Inventory of Quality of Work Life, Organizational Climate Inventory, Job Satisfaction Questionnaire S21/26, and Engagement Questionnaire. The results show a significant relationship between the quality of working life and organizational variables measures, noting the presence of significant differences in the Quality of Working Life in terms of establishment of civil administration. Jointly, we found that the variable Engagement modulates the relation between Quality of Working Life, organizational climate and job satisfaction. These results demonstrate the association between organizational and interpersonal variables that come together in the workplace, with subjective assessments that subjects build on the characteristics of their work environment, modulating their involvement and productivity.

Typology of schizophrenic symptoms and quality of life in patients and their main caregivers in northern Chile.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder characterized by the presence of both 'positive' and 'negative' symptoms that affect the essential functions through which a person gains his or her sense of individuality and capacity for independent functioning. AIMS: To describe the typology of schizophrenic symptoms and their relationship to quality of life in patients with schizophrenia and their main caregivers. METHODS: Participants were 45 patients and 45 relatives seen by the mental health services in Arica, Chile. Patients were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Seville Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQLQ), and the Social Functioning Scale (SFS). The latter was also administered to caregivers, along with the Zarit Burden Interview. RESULTS: Patients reported moderate levels of quality of life, there being a strong relationship with the negative syndrome and the general psychopathology of the disorder. The quality of life of main caregivers was related with the general psychopathology of patients. The results regarding social functioning and the caregivers' perceptions of patients' functional capacity showed that patients had a very limited degree of social integration. CONCLUSIONS: Negative symptoms and general psychopathology are the main predictors of quality of life in both patients and their caregivers.

Violencia de género en mujeres con ascendencia étnica aymara en el extremo norte de Chile / Gender-based violence against women the Aymara ethnic in northern Chile

Introducción. Se describe la presencia de violencia de género en mujeres con ascendencia étnica aymara, analizando la presencia de diferencias con mujeres de ascendencia no originaria. Material y métodos. Participaron 400 mujeres residentes en la región de Arica y Parinacota-Chile. Se utilizó la versión en español de las escalas Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA) y Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST). Resultados. Los resultados evidencian un predominio de violencia no física hacia la mujer en la relación de pareja, hallando diferencias significativas entre las participantes en función de la ascendencia étnica, siendo mayores los índices de violencia en las mujeres con ascendencia aymara. Conclusiones. Se concluye que las construcciones sociales respecto al género presentes en la cultura aymara constituyen un factor de riesgo para la violencia de género, debido a su influencia en la emergencia de asimetrías sociales y condiciones de abuso de poder hacia la mujer(AU)

Introduction. We analyze the gender-based violence against women considering the Aymara ethnic ascendance as a casual factor. Material and methods. We applied the spanish version of the Index of Spouse Abuse Scales (ISA) and Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) on 400 women, which currently live in the region of Arica and Parinacota, Chile. Results. The individuals show that non-physical violence is the predominant behavior in couples and higher rate of violence is present in women with Aymara ancestry than others. Conclusions. We conclude that social constructions of gender may be a risk factor in violence against women because of its influence in social inequalities and abuses of power against women(AU)

Quality of life of schizophrenia patients of Aymaran ethnic background in the north of Chile.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the quality of life of patients of Aymaran descent with schizophrenia and analyse the differences with patients of non-Aymaran descent. METHOD: The study included 45 patients who attended the Mental Health Services in Arica, Chile. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Seville Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQoLQ) were used. RESULTS: The patients of the study showed moderate quality of life levels, with a strong association with the negative syndrome and the general psychopathology of the disorder. No significant differences were found in the quality of life dimensions as regards ethnic background. CONCLUSIONS: The results found demonstrate that the integration of patients in the Community Health Services is positively associated as regards their quality of life. The integration of the caregivers is considered essential in the treatments administered.

[Gender-based violence against women the Aymara ethnic in northern Chile]. / Violencia de género en mujeres con ascendencia étnica aymara en el extremo norte de Chile.

INTRODUCTION: We analyze the gender-based violence against women considering the Aymara ethnic ascendance as a casual factor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We applied the spanish version of the Index of Spouse Abuse Scales (ISA) and Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) on 400 women, which currently live in the region of Arica and Parinacota, Chile. RESULTS: The individuals show that non-physical violence is the predominant behavior in couples and higher rate of violence is present in women with Aymara ancestry than others. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that social constructions of gender may be a risk factor in violence against women because of its influence in social inequalities and abuses of power against women.

Influencia de la percepción de apoyo y del funcionamiento social en la calidad de vida de pacientes con esquizofrenia y sus cuidadores / Influence of perceived social support and functioning on the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia

Se describe la percepción de apoyo y el funcionamiento social de pacientes con esquizofrenia y sus cuidadores principales, y su relación con la calidad de vida. Participaron 45 pacientes y 45 familiares atendidos por los Servicios de Salud Mental de Arica, Chile. Tanto los pacientes como los cuidadores presentan una percepción pobre de apoyo social por parte de personas extra-familiares, así como una escasa integración social. No obstante, los pacientes muestran adecuadas capacidades para desenvolverse dentro de su ambiente familiar inmediato. A diferencia de lo encontrado en países desarrollados, estos pacientes muestran niveles moderados de calidad de vida, con una fuerte relación con la percepción de apoyo social y con la capacidad de establecer y mantener contactos sociales. La calidad de vida de los cuidadores principales se relaciona con la capacidad de los pacientes para establecer y mantener contactos sociales dentro del grupo familiar, en otras instancias sociales, y en el mantenimiento de un empleo. Los resultados del estudio sugieren la necesidad de considerar el funcionamiento social de los pacientes con esquizofrenia, y su integración familiar y comunitaria como un objetivo central en los programas de apoyo para estos pacientes y sus cuidadores (AU)

Perception of social support and functioning of patients with schizophrenia and their primary caregivers and its relationship to quality of life are described. Forty-five patients and their 45 relatives, treated at the Mental Health Services in Arica, Chile, participated. Both patients and caregivers in the study have a poor perception of social support with regard to extra-family people, as well as a low social integration. However, patients showed adequate capacity to function within their immediate family. Unlike what was found in developed countries, these patients showed moderate levels of quality of life, with a strong relationship with perceptions of the social support they receive from family and significant others and the ability to establish and maintain social contacts. Quality of life of primary caregivers is linked to patients' ability to establish and maintain social contacts within the family group, as in other social instances, such as keeping a job. The results of the study suggest the need to consider the design and application of programs of support for these patients and their caregivers, with the central aim of the social functioning of the above-mentioned patients and their familiar and community integration (AU)

[Influence of perceived social support and functioning on the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia and their caregivers]. / Infl uencia de la percepción de apoyo y del funcionamiento social en la calidad de vida de pacientes con esquizofrenia y sus cuidadores.

Perception of social support and functioning of patients with schizophrenia and their primary caregivers and its relationship to quality of life are described. Forty-five patients and their 45 relatives, treated at the Mental Health Services in Arica, Chile, participated. Both patients and caregivers in the study have a poor perception of social support with regard to extra-family people, as well as a low social integration. However, patients showed adequate capacity to function within their immediate family. Unlike what was found in developed countries, these patients showed moderate levels of quality of life, with a strong relationship with perceptions of the social support they receive from family and significant others and the ability to establish and maintain social contacts. Quality of life of primary caregivers is linked to patients' ability to establish and maintain social contacts within the family group, as in other social instances, such as keeping a job. The results of the study suggest the need to consider the design and application of programs of support for these patients and their caregivers, with the central aim of the social functioning of the above-mentioned patients and their familiar and community integration.