The influence of acculturation strategies in quality of life by immigrants in Northern Chile

Purpose: To establish the influence of acculturation strategies on quality of life, henceforth QoL. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, two questionnaires were applied, the WHOQoL-BREF from the World Health Organization and Basabe’s acculturation strategies. The questionnaires were applied to 853 Colombian and Peruvian immigrants living in Northern Chilean cities of Arica, Antofagasta and Santiago de Chile. Results: In the psychological and social domains, as well as in the overall assessment of QoL, the most beneficial strategies are those where customs are maintained from the homeland, where “integration” then “separation” are the most beneficial. On the contrary, when the strategy for maintaining homeland customs is low, the QoL tends to be lower. The strategy of “marginalized” is associated with a lower QoL. Conclusions: Acculturation strategies mildly or moderately affect the psychological and social domains of quality of life as well as the overall assessment of QoL.