The Multiple Dimensions of Transnationalism: Examining their Relevance to Immigrants’ Subjective Well-Being

Journal of Social Research & Policy, Volume: 2, Issue: 2, pp. 47-72

Date: December 2011

ISSN: 2067-2640 (print), 2068-9861 (electronic)

Abstract: Using data from a random representative survey of South Florida immigrants (n=1,268), our research examines different facets of transnationalism and how they relate to a typically overlooked component of immigrant incorporation–subjective well-being. We examine separately the affective and evaluative components of immigrants’ well-being in their country of reception—the United States—by differentiating between self-reported emotional well-being and self-reported satisfaction with life in the U.S. Findings support that the kinds and frequency of connections that immigrants maintain with the home country are important factors for understanding immigrants’ subjective well-being.

Keywords: Immigrants, Life Satisfaction, Subjective Well-Being, Happiness, Transnationalism.