Loneliness in Urban Mapuche Older Adults in Chile: Ethnic Identity Affirmation, Autonomy, and Subjective Well-Being as predictors

Abstract

This study seeks to identify the factors that predict loneliness among urban Mapuche older adults in Chile. Using a cross-sectional, non-experimental design with a correlational scope, the study included 323 participants, with a mean age of 70.77 years. The findings indicate that a strong affirmation of ethnic identity affirmation, greater autonomy, higher levels of subjective well-being, and a larger number of cohabitants are associated with reduced levels of loneliness. In contrast, gender and age were not significant predictors. These results are important for developing public policies and intervention programs aimed at the urban Mapuche older adult population. Emphasizing the roles of ethnic identity, autonomy, subjective well-being, and the structural characteristics of social networks as key variables can help address loneliness in this demographic. Moreover, the study contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics of loneliness among urban indigenous populations, a group that has been underrepresented in research.