Psychosocial Factors Associated with the Well-Being of Colombian Immigrants to Spain

• Main Authors: Javier Murillo Muñoz, Fernando Molero Alonso
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2012-12-01
• Series: Psychosocial Intervention
• Online Access: http://www.copmadrid.org/webcopm/publicaciones/social/in2012v21n3a8.pdf

This research is an empirical study with quantitative methodology that studies the relationship of various psychosocial variables usually linked to migration processes, with life satisfaction and self-esteem of immigrants from Colombia in Spain. The sample (N = 281) was obtained through a non-probabilistic sampling, using the technique of snowball, carried out with the collaboration of Non Governmental Organizations dedicated to the support of immigrants in several Spanish cities. As was expected, life satisfaction is negatively related with perceived group prejudice and perceived personal discrimination, especially with the first. Life satisfaction is positively related with perceived material well-being. Self-esteem meanwhile is positively correlated with Colombian national identity. Self-esteem is also correlated significantly and negatively with perceived group prejudice and perceived personal discrimination, although the latter two variables could not explain statistically the first. These results support in general terms the formulated hypotheses, but with some caveats that are presented and explained. Those results are analyzed.