Nostalgia and migration: Translocal habitability of Sinaloan families with relatives in the USA

The migration of a relative to the United States transforms the experience of home for those who remain in the place of origin, yet this translocal habitability is rarely measured. Using the preliminary data cut from the pilot survey of project FZ-HAB-0026 on the Factoriza UAS platform, this study described the initial behaviour of a fifteen-item scale with three dimensions, Bond with the home at a distance, Longing for the migrant relative and Attachment to the family dwelling, among Sinaloan families with relatives in the United States. With a cross-sectional design, 12 cases out of a target of 100 were analysed while data collection remained open. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega total and Spearman correlations between dimensions were estimated, and an exploratory factor analysis was attempted. Internal consistency was acceptable for Attachment to the dwelling (α = .719), moderate for Longing (α = .566) and negative for Bond with the home (α = -.948); in all three dimensions, the reverse-worded item did not covary with the rest. The factor analysis was not interpretable because the sample had fewer cases than items, and no correlation between dimensions had an interval excluding zero. Missing the relative and feeling their absence on special dates received the highest ratings. The findings do not yet provide structural validity evidence and point to revisions of the instrument.