Immigration, Social Support, and Well-Being: A Case Study of Immigrants in Hong Kong

This chapter begins with a review of the concept of social support from the structural, functional, and perceptual perspectives. Then, it examines the role of social support in immigrants’ adaptation to life in Hong Kong. Specifically, the focus is on two subordinate immigrant groups: new immigrants from mainland China and migrant workers from low-income countries. The major acculturation challenge for new immigrants is social integration, and that for migrant workers is workplace hardships, including exploitation and abuse. A comparison of the two communities’ migration difficulties and the importance of social support in maintaining their well-being is discussed in closing.