Coping in the Face of Violence - a Qualitative Study on the Impacts of Stressful Life Events on the Mental Health of Older Adults in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Many older adults in Colombia have lived through violent and stressful life events, particularly in areas of poverty. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand the impact of stressful life events on the mental health and wellbeing of older Colombians living in areas of relative poverty. METHODS: Older adults (aged 60+) living in the Turbo region in Colombia were interviewed face-to-face between August and December 2021. Transcripts were coded in Spanish and English by at least two researchers, using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-six older adults participated in the study. Four overarching themes were generated: Living in violent and dangerous communities; Disturbing gender violence and gender roles; Lack of mental health awareness; Coping mechanisms. Older adults experienced a long narrative of stressful life events. Younger generations appeared to disrespect older members of Society. Without any mental health support, older adults coped by accepting the extreme situations or seeking solace in their faith. CONCLUSIONS: The health system and Government need to build up trust and generate an awareness of mental health, as older Colombians will not approach psychological support otherwise. Intergenerational community-based interventions may provide a first avenue of mental health support.

Index of vulnerability of elderly people in Medellín, Barranquilla, and Pasto

Introduction: Vulnerability can be defined as a lack of material and immaterial resources, which prevents the use of opportunities that may advance one's self-interest. The presence of these welfare resources prevents reductions in the quality of life. Objective: The objective of this study was to build an index of vulnerability using characteristics of the physical, human, social and functional capital of adults in three cities of Colombia in the year 2016 and to determine the factors that contribute most to vulnerability. Materials and methods: We conducted a transversal study with primary information sources applying 1,514 surveys among people aged 60 years and over in Medellín, Barranquilla, and Pasto. For the construction of the vulnerability index, we used factor analysis with varimax rotation and the principal component method. Results: The conditions that lead to a person's vulnerability were related mainly to human capital (quality of life, mental health and habits). The other types of capital that contributed to vulnerability were physical capital (occupation), social capital (accompaniment), and functional capital (functional independence). The highest vulnerability was registered among the residents of Pasto. The factors associated with vulnerability were the city of residence, the sex, the educational level and the role of the person in the home. Conclusion: In 58.55% of elderly people vulnerability was explained by the use of time, the functional independence and the subjective well-being. These findings contribute to the improvement of the quality of life, mainly those related to maintaining functional independence as long as possible, being occupied, improving mental health, and avoiding the risks of depression, anxiety, cognitive deterioration and deleterious habits.

Índice de vulnerabilidad de adultos mayores en Medellín, Barranquilla y Pasto / Index of vulnerability of elderly people in Medellín, Barranquilla, and Pasto

Resumen Introducción. La vulnerabilidad puede entenderse como la carencia de recursos materiales e inmateriales que impide el aprovechamiento de oportunidades en distintos aspectos de la vida. Estos recursos de bienestar evitan el deterioro de la calidad de vida. Objetivo. Construir un índice de vulnerabilidad con las características de los capitales físico, humano, social y funcional de los adultos mayores de tres ciudades de Colombia en el 2016, y determinar los factores asociados con esta condición. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal con información primaria mediante 1.514 encuestas a personas de 60 años omásde Medellín, Barranquilla y Pasto. En la construcción del índice se usó el análisis factorial con losmétodos de componentes principales y de rotación ortogonal varimax. Resultados. Las condiciones que generaban vulnerabilidad se relacionaron principalmente con el capital humano (calidad de vida, salud mental y hábitos); los demás capitales aportaron un solo componente, así: capital físico (ocupación), capital social (acompañamiento) y capital funcional (independencia funcional). La vulnerabilidad fue mayor en los residentes de Pasto. Los factores asociados con la vulnerabilidad fueron la ciudad de residencia, el sexo, el nivel educativo y el rol en el hogar. Conclusión. En el 58,55 % de las personas mayores, la vulnerabilidad se explicó por el uso del tiempo, la independencia funcional y el bienestar subjetivo. Estos hallazgos aportan elementos para el mejoramiento de la calidad de vida, principalmente en cuanto a la capacidad funcional para mantener la independencia, estar ocupados y fortalecer la salud mental.

Abstract Introduction: Vulnerability can be defined as a lack of material and immaterial resources, which prevents the use of opportunities that may advance one's self-interest. The presence of these welfare resources prevents reductions in the quality of life. Objective: The objective of this study was to build an index of vulnerability using characteristics of the physical, human, social and functional capital of adults in three cities of Colombia in the year 2016 and to determine the factors that contribute most to vulnerability. Materials and methods: We conducted a transversal study with primary information sources applying 1,514 surveys among people aged 60 years and over in Medellín, Barranquilla, and Pasto. For the construction of the vulnerability index, we used factor analysis with varimax rotation and the principal component method. Results: The conditions that lead to a person's vulnerability were related mainly to human capital (quality of life, mental health and habits). The other types of capital that contributed to vulnerability were physical capital (occupation), social capital (accompaniment), and functional capital (functional independence). The highest vulnerability was registered among the residents of Pasto. The factors associated with vulnerability were the city of residence, the sex, the educational level and the role of the person in the home. Conclusion: In 58.55% of elderly people vulnerability was explained by the use of time, the functional independence and the subjective well-being. These findings contribute to the improvement of the quality of life, mainly those related to maintaining functional independence as long as possible, being occupied, improving mental health, and avoiding the risks of depression, anxiety, cognitive deterioration and deleterious habits.