Harmonizing Beliefs With Realities: Social Support Among Older Puerto Ricans With Disabilities

Abstract

Older Puerto Ricans of the diaspora live with evident health and socioeconomic disparities, heightening their need for support. They also provide a unique transnational case in which to explore the exchange of support. This study aims to understand the informal social support experiences of older Puerto Ricans with disabilities. Data are based on the translated transcripts of 25 interviews with Spanish-speaking, Island-born Puerto Ricans living in Boston. We identify four themes through thematic analysis: (a) making sense of responsibility within valued familial relationships, (b) conceptualizing friends as family, (c) finding resolve and meaning despite isolation, and (d) (not) asking for help. These themes delineate an incongruence between their beliefs and their lived experiences of social support, as well as how this contradiction is sometimes harmonized. Whereas some older Puerto Ricans with disabilities have support to rely on, others are isolated and lack support to address the challenges of functional impairment.

Social connectedness and surviving at the margins: Findings from interviews with low-income Latino men in the U.S. Northeast.

“…Our findings were similar to existing literature on Latinx im/migrants, which suggests that support networks facilitate both instrumental and emotional support (Cohen & Wills, 1985) during times of hardship, which can protect against negative outcomes (Painter, 2018). Participants’ connection to community-based services, and their role in providing these services, was an important component of their social networks, which is similar to past findings on PR elders who lacked family support but nevertheless had robust support networks in their Latinx-focused senior center community housing (Guzzardo et al, 2017). Providing support and help to struggling community members may serve as a distraction from the challenges and stressors the men may be experiencing within their own lives, which can provide a sense of purpose and agency and lead to improvement in everyday functioning (Frost & Hoggett, 2008; Kirmayer et al, 2009; Staub, 2005).…”

“…Interestingly, studies focused on the associations between social support and well-being among Latinx populations mainly focus on familismo , which emphasizes the importance and interdependence of family members through feelings of support, emotional closeness, loyalty, and obligation (Bostean & Gillespie, 2018; Guzzardo et al, 2017). Positive familial support has been associated with positive well-being in PR and in diverse Latinx samples (Falcón et al, 2009; Guzzardo et al, 2017).…”

“…Interestingly, studies focused on the associations between social support and well-being among Latinx populations mainly focus on familismo , which emphasizes the importance and interdependence of family members through feelings of support, emotional closeness, loyalty, and obligation (Bostean & Gillespie, 2018; Guzzardo et al, 2017). Positive familial support has been associated with positive well-being in PR and in diverse Latinx samples (Falcón et al, 2009; Guzzardo et al, 2017). While Latinxs may depend on family for support more than nonrelatives (Delgadillo et al, 2004) and have lower levels of support from friends (Chang et al, 2014), nonrelatives (e.g., community members) can also influence Latinxs’ health and well-being (Chang et al, 2014; Guzzardo et al, 2017).…”

“…Positive familial support has been associated with positive well-being in PR and in diverse Latinx samples (Falcón et al, 2009; Guzzardo et al, 2017). While Latinxs may depend on family for support more than nonrelatives (Delgadillo et al, 2004) and have lower levels of support from friends (Chang et al, 2014), nonrelatives (e.g., community members) can also influence Latinxs’ health and well-being (Chang et al, 2014; Guzzardo et al, 2017).…”