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Abstract

Background: Inter-ethnic marriages with women from Asian developing countries have led to a significant rise in female marriage immigrants in Taiwan. A group of Vietnamese female marriage immigrants, who are operating small restaurants, have developed social networks aiding in information sharing and accessing health resources. This study aimed to examine how communicative social capital within these networks assists Vietnamese marriage immigrants in accessing health resources in Taiwan.

Methods: Participants in this study were recruited from small Vietnamese restaurants and food stalls in a rural county in eastern Taiwan. Data were obtained through in-depth, face-to-face interviews with 26 Vietnamese female immigrants between July and December 2021. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis.

Results: The results revealed three themes about how communicative social capital helped Vietnamese female immigrants to: (a) facilitate health resource sharing through communication networks, (b) receive care for health through family support, and (c) exchange health information through serving Vietnamese food. This study further extends the theory of social capital by considering social capital as an individual resource that is embedded in personal networks and accumulated through interpersonal communication.

Conclusions: In immigrant communities with limited health resources, health professionals can leverage local social networks to educate immigrants about available health resources, enhance communication of health information, improve healthcare accessibility, and foster the implementation of health policies.

Keywords: Communicative Social Capital, Female Marriage Immigrants, Health Resource Accessibility, Social Network, Vietnamese Culture

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