"We Help Each Other Through It": Community Support and Labor Experiences Among Brazilian Immigrants in Portugal.

Abstract

Over the last few years, the number of Brazilian immigrants living in Portugal has risen significantly, motivated by expectations of safety, prosperity, and professional success. However, the integration into the labor market frequently involves adversities such as professional devaluation, precarious working conditions, and experiences of social exclusion. This qualitative study aims to explore the work experiences of Brazilian immigrants in Portugal, with a special focus on how community support and collective resilience shape their ability to cope with adversity. Based on minority stress theory and intersectionality, we conducted 24 semi-structured interviews with Brazilian immigrants from diverse professional backgrounds. Thematic analysis revealed four main themes: (1) precarious integration into the labor market and underemployment, (2) experiences of xenophobia, racism, and discrimination, (3) mental health challenges and emotional exhaustion, and (4) community support and collective resilience. Participants emphasized the importance of informal solidarity networks to overcome institutional barriers and maintain emotional well-being. These results suggest that resilience is not only an individual resource, but a relational process rooted in everyday acts of care and connection. The study highlights the protective role of community in contexts of structural vulnerability and contributes to current discussions on migrant integration and well-being.