Percepción de las relaciones y funcionamiento familiar, en familias con adultos mayores en la ciudad de Loja, 2024

Abstract

Abstract: The research aimed to characterize the perception of family relationships and functioning in families with older adults in the city of Loja, during the year 2024. One hundred and fifty older adults and one family representative who met the eligibility criteria participated. The study was analytical and cross-sectional. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Elderly Person's Perception of Family Relationships Test, the Family Functioning Test, and some geriatric scales were used. The average age of the older adults was 72 years. Females predominated, as did those with a primary school education, who were married, of mixed race, and from small and nuclear families. 72.7% of the older adults perceived family relationships as disharmonious, and 61.4% of family members perceived a degree of dysfunction in their family. A statistically significant relationship was determined between the perception of family relationships and family functioning using the chi-square test. The findings highlight the importance of understanding family dynamics and intervention needs to strengthen the treatment of older adults.