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

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.