Abstract
This study examined the extent to which four factors—acculturation, ethnic identity, self-esteem, and resilience—can explain the well-being of Colombian immigrants in the United States across three waves of immigration (wave 1, from 1945–1964; wave 2, from 1965–1989; and wave 3, from 1990–2008). The results indicate that of the four factors, self-esteem most correlated with and was a predictor of well-being. Participants exhibited high levels of well-being as their level of self-esteem increased. Ethnic identity negatively predicted well-being, especially for men who entered during wave 3; as the extent of their ethnic identity increased, their well-being decreased. Correspondingly, Colombians who entered as political refugees reported a lower level of well-being. This research was groundbreaking in assessing factors contributing to the well-being of Colombian immigrants and assisting in the search for appropriate scales to study this population. Although its results have to be considered with caution, the study opens doors to future research, policies, and programs regarding the mental health assessment and treatment of Colombians in the United States.
Highlights
This study examined the extent to which four factors—acculturation, ethnic identity, self-esteem, and resilience—can explain the well-being of Colombian immigrants in the United States across three waves of immigration
In this study it was hypothesized that (a) there is a positive relationship between the well-being of the participants and their level of acculturation, self-esteem, resilience, and ethnic identity for all subjects in the sample, (b) there are different predictors of wellbeing for Colombians in the study sample, and (c) there are different predictors of wellbeing for participants in each of the waves. (See Figure 1)
It was hypothesized that (a) there is a positive relationship between the well-being of the participants and their level of acculturation, self-esteem, resilience, and ethnic identity for all subjects in the sample, (b) there are different predictors of well-being for Colombians in the study sample, and (c) there are different predictors of well-being for participants in each one of the immigration waves
Summary
This study examined the extent to which four factors—acculturation, ethnic identity, self-esteem, and resilience—can explain the well-being of Colombian immigrants in the United States across three waves of immigration (wave 1, from 1945– 1964; wave 2, from 1965–1989; and wave 3, from 1990–2008). This research was groundbreaking in assessing factors contributing to the well-being of Colombian immigrants and assisting in the search for appropriate scales to study this population. Its results have to be considered with caution, the study opens doors to future research, policies, and programs regarding the mental health assessment and treatment of Colombians in the United States. People leave their country of origin for numerous reasons such as political refuge, economic advancement, religion, adventure, educational opportunities, or just to take an extended vacation (Segal, 2002; Segal, Elliott, & Mayadas, 2010). The increasing violence, threats of extortion, kidnapping, murder, and an “undeclared civil war” have caused a large number of Colombians to leave their country in hopes of finding a safer home
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