Browsing by Author "Miranda-Castillo, Claudia"

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    Consequences of caring for the physical health, mental health and subjective well-being of Chilean older adults
    (Policy Press, 2024) Fernandez, M. Beatriz; Miranda-Castillo, Claudia; Rosell Cisternas, Javiera Esperanza; Herrera Campos, Priscilla Soledad
    Using a propensity score matching approach, this study evaluates the effect of caring on the physical health, mental health and subjective well-being of Chilean older people. The average treatment effect was not significant in any of the outcomes to physical health. However, older carers - and those who care intensely - were more likely to have depressive and anxious symptomatology and lower life satisfaction than older non-carers. Interventions should consider strategies that favour mental health and avoid caregiver burden, considering the interaction between caring and the challenges of ageing. This could improve the quality of life of carers and those being cared for.
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    El papel del ocio y entretenimiento digital en la salud mental de personas mayores en contextos de crisis social: el caso del estallido social en Chile
    (2024) Rosell, Javiera; Vergés, Alvaro; Miranda-Castillo, Claudia
    En la última década, el uso de dispositivos digitales se ha expandido en la población mayor. Además, se ha evidenciado que el ocio y entretenimiento digital puede contribuir a una mejor salud mental, especialmente en situaciones estresantes. En octubre del 2019, en Chile se produjo una revuelta social conocida como “el estallido social”, consistente en un movimiento ciudadano reclamando por las desigualdades en el país. Esto produjo un contexto de incertidumbre potencialmente estresante debido a hechos de violencia y a la declaración de un estado de excepción. El objetivo de este estudio fue indagar sobre la asociación entre el ocio y entretenimiento digital y la sintomatología depresiva de personas mayores, considerando la percepción del impacto del estallido social chileno en la propia salud mental como mediadora de esta asociación. Se aplicó una encuesta en línea a 577 personas mayores de 60 años. Los resultados mostraron que los hombres reportaron más frecuentemente una influencia positiva del estallido social en su salud mental (p = 0.04). Asimismo, quienes realizaron actividades de ocio y entretenimiento digital con mayor frecuencia refirieron menos sintomatología depresiva, mediada por una percepción más positiva del impacto del estallido social en su salud mental (efecto indirecto = −0.03, 95 % IC [−0.06, −0.004]). En conclusión, fomentar y educar en el uso de tecnologías digitales para el ocio y entretenimiento en personas mayores puede contribuir a un mejor afrontamiento de eventos sociohistóricos potencialmente estresantes como el estallido social y, por lo tanto, favorecer la salud mental de este grupo etario.
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    Impact of social isolation and coping strategies in older adults with mild cognitive impairment during the covid-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
    (2022) Farhang, Maryam; Miranda-Castillo, Claudia; Isabel Behrens, Maria; Castillo, Eduardo; Mosquera Amar, Sandra; Rojas, Graciela
    The COVID-19 pandemic imposed a psychological burden on elderly and particularly individuals with cognitive impairment and dementia. Few studies have investigated the quarantine experiences of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives The objective of this study was to explore the experiences and feelings of older adults with MCI during the COVID-19 outbreak in Chile and to know what strategies they used to overcome social isolation. Method A qualitative design was used. Ten participants with a diagnosis of MCI took part in this study. All interviews were recorded and coded using thematic analysis. Results The thematic analysis identified three themes related to the quarantine experience of older adults with MCI diagnosis: (1) Effects of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic (2) Believes, feelings and behaviors about the SARS-CoV-2 virus (3) Coping with social isolation/response to difficulties during the pandemic. It was found that older adults with MCI have been mainly psychologically and socially affected by social distancing and isolation, particularly individuals who were alone during COVID-19 outbreak. The only physical dimension negatively affected was the level of activity. Social isolation led to a significant number of negative emotions such as anger, fear of contracting the virus or possibility of contagion for their families, worries and sadness as well as emotional loneliness. It is noteworthy that the majority of participants have used several coping strategies during this challenging time. Conclusion Since social isolation and a sedentary life have been associated with poorer cognition and functionality in people with MCI, a rational plan to both prevent the progression of cognitive decline and to increase social contact, is essential. Special attention must be drawn to maintaining people physically active at home and keeping their daily routine (within the possibilities) and also to ensure social connectedness through technology. Implementation of these measures could potentially reduce negative emotions during the pandemic.
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    Internet use by informal caregivers in Chile: An analysis including age and gender perspectives
    (2023) Rosell, Javiera; Araya, Alejandra-Ximena; Miranda-Castillo, Claudia
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    Predictors of Unmet Needs in Chilean Older People with Dependency: A Cross-Sectional Study
    (2023) Carvacho, Raffaela; Carrasco, Marcela; Fernández, María Beatriz; Miranda-Castillo, Claudia
    Approximately one in five Chilean older adults has some degree of dependency. Limited evidence is available on self-perceived needs in Latin-American older people. The main aim of this study was to identify predictors of unmet needs of dependent older persons without cognitive impairment, considering personal and primary informal caregivers’ factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 77 dyads of older people with dependency and their caregivers. A survey was administered, evaluating sociodemographic characteristics, anxious and depressive symptomatology, health-related quality of life, and social support. Older people’s self-reported met and unmet needs and caregivers’ burden and self-efficacy were also assessed. To determine predictors of unmet needs, a multiple regression analysis was carried out. Most participants had mild to moderate levels of dependency. The most frequent unmet needs were “daytime activities” (33.8%), “company” (23.4%), “benefits” (23.4%), and “psychological distress” (24.7%). Older people’s higher level of dependency and anxious symptomatology were predictors of a higher number of unmet needs, with a model whose predictive value was 31%. The high prevalence of anxious symptomatology and its relationship with the presence of unmet needs highlight the importance of making older people’s psychological and social needs visible and addressing them promptly.