Immigrant Perspectives of Social Connection in a Nontraditional Migration Area

Abstract

Social connection is a core dimension of health and wellness among all populations, yet the experience of moving to and living in a new country makes social and community-level influences particularly salient for immigrants. We interviewed 38 Latino immigrants living in a nontraditional migration area to explore the social and community foundations of health and wellness. Using hybrid (inductive/deductive) qualitative analysis, we identified seven domains of social connection from the perspective of the interviewed participants: (1) lens of the individual; (2) immigrant experience; (3) interpersonal support; (4) community belonging; (5) community capital; (6) community navigation; and (7) social acceptance. Social connection domains generated by participants are consistent with the scientific literature, but this study identifies the specific social factors that immigrants describe as most salient to their own health and wellness. Our community-generated understanding of social connection can be used by healthcare providers to reduce risks and build on assets that will improve the health of immigrants living in nontraditional migration areas. Additionally, these results might serve as a foundation for a quantitative measure that can be used by providers to more accurately and comprehensively assess the social connection of their patients and by researchers to evaluate the effectiveness of community-level interventions for immigrants.

Keywords

• connectedness
• social ecological
• ecological systems
• belonging
• social support
• social capital