Sharing optimal experiences and promoting good community life in a multicultural society

This study focused on immigrants’ quality of daily experience, sources of well-being and future expectations. Theoretical frameworks were research on cross-cultural adaptation and studies on optimal experience. Participants were 159 first-generation immigrants, who moved to Italy from Africa, India, South America, and Eastern Europe. Data were collected through Flow Questionnaire and Life Theme Questionnaire, providing information on optimal experience and associated activities, present challenges and future goals, and on the quality of experience perceived in daily life domains. Results showed that the occurrence of optimal experiences and the features of the associated activities, as well as perceived challenges and goals were primarily connected with the life opportunities offered by the hosting country, along with participants’ cultural distance and length of stay. This suggests that information on optimal experiences, perceived quality of daily life and future goals can be useful in designing programs to support immigrants’ psychological well-being and socio-cultural adjustment.