Hybrid Communities: Emerging Social Practices Between Virtual and Face-to-Face Interaction in Latin American Urban Contexts

This study analyzes hybrid communities as emerging social configurations that integrate virtual and face-to-face practices in Latin American urban contexts. A quantitative approach using synthetic data was employed to examine the relationship between virtual interaction, in-person participation, digital--face-to-face integration, community cohesion, collective identity, and involvement. The results show moderate to high positive associations among the analyzed dimensions, highlighting the central role of digital--face-to-face integration and community cohesion in explaining involvement. Regression models confirm that community engagement emerges as an integrative construct resulting from the convergence of hybrid social practices, relational ties, and shared identity. This study provides empirical evidence to understand urban social dynamics in the digital era.