Experiences and meanings of leisure for members of the Turkish and Chinese communities in Vienna, Austria

Picturing Recreation: Newcomers’ Perspectives on Experiences of Recreation

“…Similar to barriers identified in the literature (Höglhammer et al, 2015 ; Hurly, 2019 ; Lovelock et al, 2011 ), some participants in the current study also encountered barriers to recreation, such as cost and transportation, that resulted in some gravitating towards recreation opportunities that could be considered routine and everyday. In other words, participants often described engaging in recreational activities that were close to home and made use of materials and spaces easily accessible to them.…”

“…Hammell, 2014 ; Walker, 2010 ) whereas others argue that conceptualizations (and the study) of leisure should take into consideration cultural differences and recognize the complexity and heterogeneity of migrants’ experiences, preferences, and cultural practices (Juniu, 2002 ; Li et al, 2008 ; Mata-Codesal et al, 2015 ). Further to this, some researchers challenge the “Western” idea that leisure is an inherently positive experience which can improve life satisfaction, health, and well-being for cultural minorities (Höglhammer et al, 2015 ), suggesting that narrow, Eurocentric definitions of leisure can exclude and/or serve to limit certain groups. To address this, Hurly and Walker ( 2019 ) suggest attending to ethnocultural and individual preferences for leisure, as well as considerations for what is appropriate and meaningful for many ethnocultural groups.…”

“…Stodolska et al ( 2017 ) also demonstrated that partaking in nature-based leisure or leisure in natural environments facilitated a sense of self-restoration amongst immigrants in the U.S.A. who were experiencing immigration-related stress. Hurly ( 2019 ) also proposed that leisure can have “ameliorative effects” (p. 3) on newcomers’ lives, particularly due to its potential to reduce stress related to migration (Höglhammer et al, 2015 ). Indeed, experiencing personal, social, or cultural connectedness through leisure can help newcomers overcome acculturative stress or immigration-related challenges which can, in turn, promote health and well-being (Kim & Iwasaki, 2016 ).…”

“…According to Li and Stodolska ( 2018 ), “Leisure of [newcomers] cannot be understood in separation from the [barriers or] constraints they face” (p. 14) as migration, transition, and resettlement can pose a multitude of factors that can impede, hinder, or cease newcomers’ engagement in leisure (Stodolska, 2000 ). Competing settlement priorities (Block & Gibbs, 2017 ) such as work, lack of free time, learning a new language, and economic constraints are some barriers related to leisure that can be experienced by newcomers (Höglhammer et al, 2015 ; Hurly, 2019 ; Lovelock et al, 2011 ). In addition, distance and transportation difficulties (Hurly, 2019 ; Lovelock et al, 2011 ), as well as limited social networks, lack of information or knowledge about leisure and recreation services, and childcare, family, and domestic responsibilities (Block & Gibbs, 2017 ; Hurly, 2019 ) can pose additional barriers to newcomers’ engagement in leisure.…”

Transnational physical activity and sport engagement of new Asian migrants in Aotearoa/New Zealand

“…Existing literature that addresses migrants' PAS engagement is largely centred on PAS engagement as a facilitator to migrants' integration to and interaction with the immigrant host societies, thus contributes positively to cross‐cultural understanding and social cohesion, and assists in breaking down racial and ethnic barriers (Stodolska and Alexandris, 2004; Walseth and Fasting, 2004; Müller et al ., 2008; Carter, 2011; Lee and Funk, 2011; Garrido et al ., 2012; Li et al ., 2015; Rich et al ., 2015). There is also a body of literature which addresses the constraints migrants face when they intend to engage in PAS and the actual patterns and levels of PAS participation (O'Driscoll et al ., 2014; Höglhammer et al ., 2015).…”