FRIENDSHIPS IN THE ADAPTATION OF THE LATIN AMERICAN IMMIGRANT

Abstract

Some studies on immigrant friendship relationships point out that these play a relevant role in the complex process of adaptation of immigrants to the new country. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the role of new friendships with compatriots, natives or other foreigners for the adaptation of Latin American immigrants to the current country. 40 immigrants participated in the research, divided into four groups: A) 20 Latin Americans who lived in Brazil; B) three Brazilians who lived in another Latin American country; C) 12 Brazilians who lived in Spain; and D) five Brazilians who lived in Portugal. The instrument used was a questionnaire with open questions, sent and received by e-mail, which produced written reports, which underwent qualitative content analysis. The main results revealed that friends from their own country or from other countries are fundamental for adapting to the new country, to make up for the lack of their culture, to increase the sense of belonging, to provide emotional support and to alleviate loneliness. For most participants, friends do not replace relationships with family members in the country of origin, but fill the void left by the family. The vast majority of participants felt some social need such as welcoming, adjusting or adapting to the new culture. Finally, in parallel with the friends, the path most suggested by the participants of the four groups for a better adaptation and adjustment of the emigrant to new cultures was the approximation or openness to the new culture.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.031-042