Migrant Family Adaptation and Quality of Life: A Qualitative Study in Brazil

Abstract

Each year thousands of families migrate to escape political or religious persecution, natural disasters, improve their economic situation, or provide for them selves a better life than was possible in their former country (Baptiste, 1993). Whatever the motive for migration, the major changes involved can often cause physical or emotional chaos in the lives of the family which can lead to a diminished rather than improved quality of life. Countries such as Brazil and the United States, although quite different economically, culturally, and politically, are experiencing similar migration and immigration challenges as there is increased turbulence in various areas of the world. One profound challenge facing these countries and others on all continents is the successful integration of migrating families into their society in such a way that the quality of life (QoL) of both their citizens and the migrants may be maintained. This qualitative study examined the influence of social support and family relationships on migrant family adaptation and QoL in the country of Brazil. The varying meanings and concepts applied to QoL have made it difficult to define and directly measure. Both congruity theory and multiple discrepancy theory propose the concept that life satisfaction and QoL are determined by the perceived gap between actual and ideal life circumstances (Hunt, 1997; Welham et al., 2001). The World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Group defines QoL as: “an individual’s perceptions of their position in life, in the context of their culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns” (Skevington, 2002, p. 136). Researchers examine objective and/or perceptual indicators of individual and family quality of life. Objective indicators focus on the conditions of life and environment, while perceptual or subjective indicators of life quality are related to the experiences of life (Rettig and Leichtentritt, 1998, pp. 307–341; Wrosch and Scheier, 2003, pp. 62–63). Perceptual indicators related to the life experiences of the participants are the primary focus in this study. Migrant Family Adaptation and Quality of Life: A Qualitative Study in Brazil