| This research considers the multiple and complex associations between social networks, migration and the health status and well-being of Mexican immigrant mothers and their children. In this dissertation, I answer three main questions: First, what is the significance of social networks to the health of Mexican immigrant mothers and their children? Second, what are the network-related mechanisms, including emotional and financial support, that may help explain the health profiles of Mexican immigrant mothers and their children? Third, what role does migration play in explaining social networks, social support, and consequently, the health status of this population group? I answer these questions with a unique data set that links comparable samples of Mexican households from migrant sending communities to two corresponding migrant receiving communities in the U.S.; When I compare the sample of immigrant mothers and their children (141 immigrant women and 236 children) with the parallel sample of mothers and their children interviewed in Mexico (379 women and 623 children), I find that immigrant women had smaller networks, were more geographically dispersed, and visited less frequently compared to the women in Mexico. I also find that immigrant mothers reported receiving less emotional aid and financial support compared to mothers residing in Mexico.; Using multivariate analysis and decomposition techniques, I find that differences in the observed outcomes (e.g., network size, kinship composition, social interaction, and social support) between the two settings can largely be attributed to unmeasured heterogeneity, where migration effects and selection forces are likely to be major contributing factors.; Finally, I find that immigrant women and their children are in better health compared to those sampled in Mexico. However, I find little evidence to support the hypothesis that the character and nature of immigrant networks explain mothers' and children's advantageous health profiles. In fact, results show that the effects of networks on mothers' health are minimal. Contrary to expectation, children's health does not seem to benefit directly from mothers' networks either. Nevertheless, immigrants better health outcomes compared to those in Mexico are consistent with the healthy migrant selection hypothesis---that is, the healthier are more likely to migrate to the U.S., compared to those staying behind. |
