Functional capacity and self-esteem among Indigenous older adults in the Peruvian Amazon

There is a lack of studies on functional capacity and self-esteem among Indigenous older adults in Indigenous communities, often due to challenges related to accessibility, cultural nuances, and linguistic diversity. The objective of this research was to describe the functional capacity of Indigenous older adults in the Peruvian Amazon and analyze the association between functional capacity and self-esteem in this population.

The study employed a cross-section design, involving older adults aged 60 years or more, residing in an Indigenous community. Functional capacity was assessed using the Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living, and self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. A sociodemographic questionnaire was also administered, gathering data on age, gender, marital status, and household size. The assessments were conducted with the support of the Apu (the leader of the Indigenous community) and were translated into the Awajún language, using regression models to analyze the relationship between the variables.

A total of 63 Indigenous older adults were included. The majority of individuals exhibited moderate and severe dependency (43% and 35%, respectively) and had moderate and high self-esteem (35% and 41%, respectively). Notably, 33% were unable to bathe independently, 29% could not climb stairs, 22% had difficulty dressing, 17% could not use the toilet independently, 13% required assistance with transfers, and 3% needed help with feeding. A significant negative association was observed between functional capacity and self-esteem after adjusting for age, sex, marital status, and number of household members (β=-0.14; 95%CI: −0.27-−0.02; p=0.03).

Indigenous older adults faced significant limitations in performing daily activities that require mobility and transfers. Furthermore, self-esteem was negatively associated with functional capacity.