The influx of Hispanic immigrants into rural areas of the United States has created demographic, economic, and social change within communities. Sense of community, a psychological construct that includes membership, influence, fulfilment of needs, and a shared emotional connection between community members, is a vital element in assessing the integration of immigrants into a community. This study used a sequential explanatory mixed methods design to describe and examine sense of community, community participation, and life satisfaction among Hispanic immigrants from two communities in rural Nebraska (N = 180 survey participants; N = 53 focus groups participants). The results indicated that participants felt a sense of community. Sense of community was significantly positively correlated with community participation, r = 0.29, p < 0.01, and life satisfaction, r = 0.31, p < 0.01. Participants identified that being part of the community was more than just sharing a geographic space. It encompassed a feeling of belonging, unity, and acceptance as well as a willingness to help others and participate. Respondents had participated in their communities by volunteering, donating to community organizations, talking to others about community issues, and participating in associations. The vast majority of participants were satisfied with their lives. Using linear regression, sense of community was found to be a significant predictor of both community participation, R 2 = 0.37, F(6, 168) = 16.45, p = 0.000, and life satisfaction, R 2 = 0.13, F(6, 168) = 4.00, p = 0.001. Implications of improving social well-being among rural Hispanic immigrants in the United States are discussed.

Study design: Prospective cohort design of married persons with new spinal cord injury (SCI).Objectives: To examine the relationship of demographic and injury characteristics, self-rated health, physical functioning, and life satisfaction to the duration of marriage 1 to 15 years after SCI among individuals who were married at the time of injury. Setting: United States. Methods: Survival analysis was chosen to determine the predictors related to marital longevity, which is defined as non-occurrence of divorce after injury. In all, 2327 subjects were included in the analyses. Predictors were demographics and injury characteristics, level of handicap, self-perceived health, and functional independence. Results: Age at injury, being Caucasian vs African American, having a college education vs high school, having 'other' employment status vs being unemployed, having higher social integration and improved or stable self-rated health vs poor health were all significant factors that delayed the time of divorce after injury. Contrary to expectations, level of injury, function, mobility and independence were not significant predictors of marriage longevity. Conclusion: Social integration and health perception, the most powerful indicators of marriage longevity, can be addressed and facilitated by health care providers and rehabilitation programs.