Abstract

Introduction. Population aging has triggered social transformations such as female survival, also called feminisation of old age. This demographic and cultural phenomenon significantly changes traditional role distribution at this vital stage. The present study focuses on the quality of life of older women, specifically on their survival strategies after widowhood, in a rural area of Chile. We investigated how they constructed their well-being and what meanings they assigned to the relevant dimensions of their quality of life after widowhood. Methodology. An interpretative study was conducted adopting a qualitative approach and flexible procedure. Semi-structured interviews and a focus group took place with 12 rural elderly women, using an intended sample selected through the snowball technique. The data were analysed comprehensively and organised into three essential categories: feminisation of old age, quality of life, and rural environment. Results. Although focused on subjective well-being, older women emphasized objective aspects such as health and autonomy. Widowhood redefined roles and decisions, influencing survival strategies, where financial security and home ownership play a crucial role in well-being. Damaged mental health leads to family dependency, though older women appreciate autonomy and value family and social relationships. The rural environment generates a deep-rooted cultural identity, but structural gaps persist, such as lack of infrastructure and meeting spaces. Discussion. Within the framework of feminist gerontology, gender theory and intersectionality, it is possible to identify how polarised perceptions of quality of life are challenged. It is thus possible to highlight how objective and subjective dynamics, where financial security is a key concern, reconfigure traditional gender roles. Social relations provide essential support, profoundly impacting quality of life, especially for widowed women. Migration to the city becomes inevitable when quality of life deteriorates, underscoring the need for differentiated social policies based on the particularities of rural aging. Conclusions. This study sheds light on a significant change in older women’s quality of life assessment after widowhood, in turn linked to the reconfiguration of their life trajectories and social roles. Gerontological Social Work, feminist, gender and intersectional perspectives should therefore be incorporated in social intervention. Such theoretical approaches allow developing a comprehensive approach to understanding lives in old age. © 2025 Karen Olivares Peña.