Social Capital and Acculturation

Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss the interrelationship between social capital, acculturation, lifestyle, and health. First, we explore the forms of social capital acquired at the destination and the constituents of social capital formation. Secondly, an assessment of the impact of social relations in the acculturation process is undertaken. Further, we show how social relations influence lifestyles that border on diverse forms of acculturation inclinations including assimilation, integration, separation, and marginalization. Thirdly, an examination of the perceptions of the impact of lifestyles on health outcomes is undertaken. Conceptual mapping was used to elicit information from migrants. Acculturation elements enabled by social relations include language acquisitions and comprehension, food, customs and values, as well as clothing styles. Forms of social capital such as bonding, bridging, and linking social capital were present in the social capital formation of migrants and each construct contributed uniquely and jointly to acculturation preferences and inclinations. For example, the place (community) and the ability to function effectively as a member of the community influenced one’s acculturation inclination regarding language. Migrants indicated that while some lifestyles learned from social relations, as adaptive strategies, may have positive effects on health outcomes, other lifestyles were mentioned as having detrimental health effects.