Social disorder, social integration, and subjective well-being among Latin-American immigrants in Spain

Abstract

Social integration has consistently shown its positive effects on both physical and psychological well-being. The study of the influence of residential characteristics on both social integration and well-being, however, has been traditionally neglected. The present study analyzes the joint influence of both social disorder and social integration on the subjective well-being of 260 Latin-American immigrants living in the Valencian Community (Spain). Results show that levels of social disorder negatively influence both social integration and subjective well-being. These findings might orientate public policies that seek to improve the well-being of especially disadvantaged groups at risk of social exclusion.