Subjective well-being among Latino day laborers: Examining the role of religiosity, social networks, and cigarette use

Background: Latino day laborers (LDLs) experience chronic stressors, that adversely affects their subjective well-being (SWB). The purpose of the study was to determine whether LDLs’ demographics characteristics, religiosity, social networks, and cigarette use were significantly associated with SWB....

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Main Authors: Javier F. Boyas, Pamela Valera, Erika Ruiz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences 2018-01-01
Series:Health Promotion Perspectives
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hpp.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/hpp-8-46.pdf
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author Javier F. Boyas
Pamela Valera
Erika Ruiz
author_facet Javier F. Boyas
Pamela Valera
Erika Ruiz
author_sort Javier F. Boyas
collection DOAJ
description Background: Latino day laborers (LDLs) experience chronic stressors, that adversely affects their subjective well-being (SWB). The purpose of the study was to determine whether LDLs’ demographics characteristics, religiosity, social networks, and cigarette use were significantly associated with SWB. Methods: Approximately 150 LDLs from 4 informal day laborer sites in Dallas and Arlington,Texas, participated in the cross-sectional survey. Informed consent was obtained from all participants and data on SWB were collected face-to-face from April 2013 through July 2013.Results: Most respondents were of Mexican ancestry, (n = 112; 75%), were foreign-born (n =140; 93%), and undocumented (n = 108; 72%). LDLs reported a mean satisfaction with life scoreof 19.07 (SD=8.52). Thirty percent of LDLs reported not smoking any cigarettes in the past 30 days. However, 20% reported smoking 20–39 cigarettes, while another 20% reported smoking or more cigarettes in the past 30 days. Hierarchical multiple regression results indicated that marital status (β = 0.13, P ≤ 0.05), disconnectedness to friends (β = 0.21, P ≤ 0.001), the influence of religion on life (β = 0.57, P ≤ 0.01), frequency of attendance to religious institution (β = 0.11,P ≤ 0.005), and cigarette use (β = -0.15, P ≤ 0.05) were significantly associated with the SWB appraisals of LDLs. Conclusion: These findings show that LDLs are resilient and rely on non economic factors to enhance their perceived quality of life. The results underscore the need to identify pathways to improve SWB among LDLs. Doing so may address the broader mental health and occupational health disparities gaps that affect LDLs.
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spelling doaj.art-fc672091acfc47d2bfb64b6eb5c5d5162022-12-22T00:09:16ZengTabriz University of Medical SciencesHealth Promotion Perspectives2228-64972018-01-0181465310.15171/hpp.2018.06HPP_19656_20170816011131Subjective well-being among Latino day laborers: Examining the role of religiosity, social networks, and cigarette useJavier F. Boyas0Pamela Valera1Erika Ruiz2Department of Social Work, School of Applied Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USADepartment of Social Work, School of Applied Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USADepartment of Social Work, School of Applied Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USABackground: Latino day laborers (LDLs) experience chronic stressors, that adversely affects their subjective well-being (SWB). The purpose of the study was to determine whether LDLs’ demographics characteristics, religiosity, social networks, and cigarette use were significantly associated with SWB. Methods: Approximately 150 LDLs from 4 informal day laborer sites in Dallas and Arlington,Texas, participated in the cross-sectional survey. Informed consent was obtained from all participants and data on SWB were collected face-to-face from April 2013 through July 2013.Results: Most respondents were of Mexican ancestry, (n = 112; 75%), were foreign-born (n =140; 93%), and undocumented (n = 108; 72%). LDLs reported a mean satisfaction with life scoreof 19.07 (SD=8.52). Thirty percent of LDLs reported not smoking any cigarettes in the past 30 days. However, 20% reported smoking 20–39 cigarettes, while another 20% reported smoking or more cigarettes in the past 30 days. Hierarchical multiple regression results indicated that marital status (β = 0.13, P ≤ 0.05), disconnectedness to friends (β = 0.21, P ≤ 0.001), the influence of religion on life (β = 0.57, P ≤ 0.01), frequency of attendance to religious institution (β = 0.11,P ≤ 0.005), and cigarette use (β = -0.15, P ≤ 0.05) were significantly associated with the SWB appraisals of LDLs. Conclusion: These findings show that LDLs are resilient and rely on non economic factors to enhance their perceived quality of life. The results underscore the need to identify pathways to improve SWB among LDLs. Doing so may address the broader mental health and occupational health disparities gaps that affect LDLs.http://hpp.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/hpp-8-46.pdfLatino day laborersSubjective well-beingUndocumented statusCigarette use
spellingShingle Javier F. Boyas
Pamela Valera
Erika Ruiz
Subjective well-being among Latino day laborers: Examining the role of religiosity, social networks, and cigarette use
Health Promotion Perspectives
Latino day laborers
Subjective well-being
Undocumented status
Cigarette use
title Subjective well-being among Latino day laborers: Examining the role of religiosity, social networks, and cigarette use
title_full Subjective well-being among Latino day laborers: Examining the role of religiosity, social networks, and cigarette use
title_fullStr Subjective well-being among Latino day laborers: Examining the role of religiosity, social networks, and cigarette use
title_full_unstemmed Subjective well-being among Latino day laborers: Examining the role of religiosity, social networks, and cigarette use
title_short Subjective well-being among Latino day laborers: Examining the role of religiosity, social networks, and cigarette use
title_sort subjective well being among latino day laborers examining the role of religiosity social networks and cigarette use
topic Latino day laborers
Subjective well-being
Undocumented status
Cigarette use
url http://hpp.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/hpp-8-46.pdf
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