Ethnic identity and life satisfaction in indigenous adolescents: The mediating role of resilience

Background: Research assessing the association between Life Satisfaction and Resilience has increased considerably because it is recognized as an important variable in enhancing adolescent well-being. However, they have focused on non-indigenous youth and have scarcely addressed the needs of those belonging to ethnic minorities, particularly in Latin America. The aim of this study was to assess the mediating relationship of resilience on the association between ethnic identity and life satisfaction in Aymara adolescents. Methods: 968 students from 11 to 18 years old participated, from Public Schools in the city of Arica, Chile. To measure the variables in this study, the Satisfaction with Life Scale-Child (SWLS-C), the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-12) and the Multi-Group Ethnic Scale (MEIM) were used. Results: Although Aymara and non-Aymara students did not show significant differences in Resilience and Life Satisfaction scores, they did show differences in their ethnic identity scores (t = 6.08; p = 0.00), with Aymara students manifesting behavioral statements closer to a moratorium on ethnic identity. This study also provided evidence of the possible mediating relationship of resilience in the association between ethnic identity and life satisfaction (r = 0.211, CI = 0.132–0.293; p = 0.000). Conclusion: It seems that strengthening ethnic identity and resilience strategies could increase students' life satisfaction. This is particularly relevant given the process of cultural integration that Aymara and non-Aymara students appear to be undergoing.