ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the differences between men and women in the different domains of quality of life (QoL) among elderly people living in rural areas of the north of Chile. Material and Method: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted between November 2019 and February 2020 in various rural areas of the Region of Arica and Parinacota. The sample consisted of 100 people over 60 years old and without cognitive impairment. The Brief Quality of Life Questionnaire (CUBRECAVI) was applied. The research was approved by the School of Social Work of the Universidad de Tarapacá. Results: 69% were women, 63% were between 60 and 69 years old, 67% were married or had a relationship and 58% had indigenous origin. Statistically significant differences were confirmed in the objective health domain: swollen ankles, tiredness, sleep problems, urinary incontinence and tingling; in the psychic health domain: crying easily, depressive feelings and memory problems. This was similar in the field of social integration, in the level of satisfaction concerning the relationship with the spouse or partner, with family members and with friends. Moreover, the findings corroborate differences in the domain of activities, level of activities, frequency of walking and frequency of doing crafts. Finally, in the environmental quality domain, there are differences in satisfaction with room temperature. The results show that women have worse QoL and the elderly perceive that the health domain is the most important when assessing their QoL. Conclusion: There is a biopsychosocial risk for older women living in rural areas in the north of Chile. It is clear that nursing and other areas dealing directly with the elderly have to familiar with the different ways of aging, taking into account gender and specific rural setting.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en los diversos dominios de la calidad de vida (CdV) en personas mayores que residen en zonas rurales del extremo norte de Chile. Material y Método: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, transversal realizado entre noviembre 2019 y febrero 2020 en diversas zonas rurales de la Región de Arica y Parinacota. Contó con un universo de 100 personas mayores de 60 años y sin deterioro cognitivo. Se aplicó el Cuestionario Breve de Calidad de Vida (CUBRECAVI). La investigación fue aprobada por la Escuela de Trabajo Social de la Universidad de Tarapacá. Resultados: 69% mujeres, 63% entre 60 y 69 años, 67% casado o en pareja y 58% indígena. Se confirman diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el dominio salud objetiva: tobillos hinchados, cansancio, dificultad para dormir, escape de orina y hormigueos; en el dominio salud psíquica: llorar con facilidad, sentimientos depresivos y problemas de memoria. Lo mismo se observa en integración social, en el nivel de satisfacción con la relación del cónyuge o pareja, con los familiares y con las amistades. Igualmente los hallazgos confirman diferencias en el dominio actividades, nivel de actividades, frecuencia camina y frecuencia hace manualidades. Por último, en el dominio calidad ambiental, en la satisfacción con la temperatura del hogar. Los resultados indican que las mujeres tienen peor CdV y las personas mayores perciben que el dominio salud es el más importante para valorar su CdV. Conclusión: Se confirma riesgo biopsicosocial para mujeres mayores que residen en zonas rurales del extremo norte de Chile. Enfermería y otras disciplinas de trato directo con las personas mayores deben conocer las distintas maneras de envejecer, diferenciando por sexo y especificidades del entorno rural.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as diferenças entre homens e mulheres nos diversos domínios da qualidade de vida (QV) em idosos residentes em áreas rurais do norte do Chile. Material e Método: Estudo quantitativo, descritivo, transversal realizado entre novembro de 2019 e fevereiro de 2020 em diversas áreas rurais da Região de Arica e Parinacota. A amostra consistiu em 100 pessoas com mais de 60 anos e sem déficit cognitivo. Foi aplicado o Questionário Breve de Qualidade de Vida (CUBRECAVI). A pesquisa foi aprovada pela Escola de Serviço Social da Universidade de Tarapacá. Resultados: 69% eran mulheres, 63% tinham entre 60 e 69 anos, 67% estavam casadas ou tinham um relacionamento e 58% tinham origem indígena. Foram confirmadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas no dominio da saúde objetiva: tornozelos inchados, fadiga, dificuldade para dormir, perda de urina e formigamento; no domínio da saúde psíquica: choro com facilidade, sentimentos depressivos e problemas de memória. O mesmo foi observado na integração social, no nível de satisfação na relação com o cônjuge ou companheiro, com os familiares e com os amigos. Da mesma forma, os achados confirmam diferenças no domínio das atividades, nível de atividades, frequência de caminhadas e frequência de artesanato. Finalmente, no domínio da qualidade ambiental há diferenças no grau de satisfação com a temperatura da casa. Os resultados indicam que as mulheres apresentam pior QV e os idosos percebem que o domínio saúde é o mais importante para avaliar sua QV. Conclusão: O risco biopsicossocial é confirmado para mulheres idosas residentes em áreas rurais do extremo norte do Chile. A enfermagem e as demais disciplinas que lidam diretamente com o idoso devem conhecer as diferentes formas de envelhecer, diferenciando entre os sexos e as especificidades do meio rural.

Abstract Background There has been scant research published regarding the assessment of depression in ethnic groups, and few studies have addressed the validation of scales for standardized assessment of depressive symptoms among indigenous minorities. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) for a multi-ethnic sample of older Chilean adults.Methods: Cross-sectional study with a sample of 800 older people, 71% of whom were self-declared indigenous (Aymara/Mapuche). Results The non-indigenous group had a higher total GDS-15 score and lower quality of life and wellbeing scores than the indigenous groups (p < 0.001). The GDS-15 had a KR-20 coefficient of 0.90 for the non-indigenous group, 0.80 for Aymara, and 0.85 for Mapuche. The homogeneity index was 0.38 for non-indigenous, 0.24 for Aymara, and 0.29 for Mapuche.Discussion: The GDS-15 showed satisfactory psychometric characteristics for the samples studied. However, the better results observed for the non-indigenous group suggest that some characteristics and content of the rating scale are not fully appropriate for the indigenous older population. Conclusions There is a need to develop the transcultural validation of scales such as GDS-15, which are applied in a standardized manner in geriatric evaluations as part of primary healthcare.

Abstract: Religion and spirituality are psychosocial resources that promote well-being and quality of life in old age. The following study aims to adapt a Brief Index of Religiousness and Spirituality, from the Multidimensional Brief Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality (BMMRS), in a sample of 750 elderly people residing in the region of Arica and Parinacota, Chile. The results indicate that this brief index is a consistent instrument: Religiosity ɑ = .87, and spirituality ɑ = .93. Confirmatory factor analysis shows that the two-factor solution fits the data from the Chilean sample. In this way, this brief index has adequate psychometric properties. The practical applications of this instrument are mainly linked to the assessment and promotion of health in older adults.

Resumen: La religión y la espiritualidad son recursos psicosociales que promueven el bienestar y la calidad de vida en la vejez. Dado esto, el siguiente estudio tiene como propósito adaptar un Índice Breve de Religiosidad y Espiritualidad, a partir del Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality (BMMRS), en una muestra de 750 personas mayores que residen en la región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile. Los resultados indican que este índice breve es un instrumento consistente: religiosidad ɑ = ,87 y espiritualidad ɑ = ,93. El análisis factorial confirmatorio evidencia que la solución de dos factores se ajusta a los datos procedentes de la muestra chilena. De esta manera, este índice breve cuenta con propiedades psicométricas adecuadas. Las aplicaciones prácticas de este instrumento se vinculan principalmente con la evaluación y promoción de la salud en adultos mayores.

The relation among aeging, social support, and depression is a key subject in societies with rising aeging rates, as Chile is. The present piece of research focus on the rol played by psychosociological variables: type of support by source, reciprocity in support by type and source of support, and communitary support. Validated and widely used scales for depression and social support where applied in a sample (n=493) obtained from Arica-Parinacota region, north of Chile. Hierarchichal regression and structural equation model (SEM) are used. Results suggest that partner and adult children constitute the main sources of support (specially emotional and instrumental) against depression. Reciprocity is a key variable to account for the relation between sources of support and depression.

La asociación entre apoyo social y depresión en el caso de las personas mayores constituye un objeto de estudio de especial relevancia en sociedades con altas tasas de envejecimiento, como es el caso de Chile. La presente investigación se centra en el papel jugado por variables de carácter psicosociológico: tipo de apoyo en función de la fuente de procedencia, reciprocidad en el apoyo según tipo de apoyo y fuente de procedencia, y apoyo comunitario. Se aplicaron escalas de depresión y apoyo social ampliamente utilizadas en una muestra (n=493) de la región de Arica-Parinacota, en el Norte de Chile. Se realiza un análisis de regresión jerárquica y de ecuaciones estructurales. Los resultados sugieren que el cónyuge y los hijos son las fuentes de apoyo relevantes para los síntomas de depresión, sobre todo en sus funciones instrumental y emocional. La reciprocidad en el apoyo es una variable fundamental para dar cuenta de la relación existente entre fuentes de apoyo social y depresión.