Abstract
Background: Research shows that second-generation Latinx routinely experience adverse mental health outcomes when compared to their foreign-born counterparts and the majority population in the United States. Various external factors, such as social capital, have been demonstrated to assist individuals in overcoming life challenges. Guided by the ecological perspective and social capital theory, this study aimed to explore the role of social capital in the lives of second-generation Latinx and examine its effect on self-rated health.
Methods: An online, cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed to qualifying individuals using a sample of convenience. The survey sought to measure which social capital second-generation Latinx possess and utilize in times of need, and the relationship between social capital levels and self-rated health to establish a benchmark of social support.
Results: The data collected (n=29) revealed that the participating second-generation Latinx most readily possess and heavily rely upon bonding social capital in their daily lives. Additionally, further analysis of the data demonstrated that second-generation females possess a university degree at a higher rate than their male counterparts for the given sample.
Discussion: The obtained results illustrate that potentially beneficial linking capital continues to elude second-generation Latinx as they seek to further integrate and become socially mobile in the U.S. Additionally, service providers in the community and institutional organizations were generally not perceived as sources of social support by the respondents. Additionally, disparities in educational achievement may be arising across gender lines.
Conclusion: Social workers committed to helping ethnic minorities achieve equitable life outcomes by narrowing current health disparities may need to reflect upon their current outreach efforts to target their services more effectively. Social workers should also be mindful of potentially fluctuating power dynamics as Latinx females become more highly educated than their male counterparts.