Immigrant families and social services: Formal and informal support networks

TitleImmigrant families and social services: Formal and informal support networks
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsMonaci MGrazia, Carbone D, Bonapace W
JournalInterdisciplinary Journal of Family Studies
Volume15
Issue1
Pagination76-95
Date Published06/2010
PublisherPadova University Press
Place PublishedPadova, IT
ISSN Number2282-2011
Keywordsfamilies, formal-informal networks, immigration, social services, social support
Abstract

The present study examines the relation between immigrant families and territorial services by comparing institutional services and more informal resources. The latter are particularly important for immigrants, who often use networks composed of family and friends for reciprocal support. Immigrant families (n = 32) were administered a semi-structured interview and handed a questionnaire at information bureaus (n = 105, 67F ). Results show that families are well informed about available resources and they often make use of the health services. Women above all benefit from the health services and family clinics and give them a better evaluation. Informal networks, especially family members and friends from the same country, are used mostly in the first years of residence, while as time goes by formal services are resorted to.

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