Leisure and settlement distress: the case of South Australian migrants

Abstract

Acculturative stress is an important issue in understanding the early settlement of migrants in a new country. This stress relates to difficulties migrants experience in their adjustment to the lifestyle of their host countries. How such stress can be ameliorated through leisure activities is an under-researched area. The present study explored trends and challenges that migrants face in leisure participation during their early years in a new country. Semistructured interviews were conducted with migrants and representatives of migration and leisure organizations in South Australia. Five themes emerged from network analysis. One significant positive theme (leisure as a coping strategy) emphasized the benefits of leisure activities to migrants as a tool to alleviate acculturative stress. However, the other four themes (employment challenges, financial issues, perceived discrimination and family obligations) disclosed negative aspects. These restrictions not only form the basis of acculturative stress among migrants but also represent hurdles for their participation in leisure activities. The results of the study indicate that, overall, migrants' leisure participation plays a significant role in decreasing acculturative stress.

‘Multicultural lunches’: sharing food in post-Brexit south coast of England

“…As a consequence of displacement, migrant populations often experience their leisure worlds as fragmented, and their leisure is often seen as a trivial or insignificant process of migration (Mata-Codesal, Peperkamp and Tiesler 2015;Stack and Iwasaki 2009). As such, leisure can be a hidden or forgotten element of migration, and studies of leisure and migration are prone to marginalisation (Floyd, Bocarro and Thompson 2008;Hasmi, Gross and Scott-Young 2014). However, as the role of leisure in migrant people's lives is increasingly recognised there has been an increased attention to available studies (Budruk 2010;Walker, Halpenny and Deng 2011;Hasmi, Gross and Scott-Young 2014).…”

“…As such, leisure can be a hidden or forgotten element of migration, and studies of leisure and migration are prone to marginalisation (Floyd, Bocarro and Thompson 2008;Hasmi, Gross and Scott-Young 2014). However, as the role of leisure in migrant people's lives is increasingly recognised there has been an increased attention to available studies (Budruk 2010;Walker, Halpenny and Deng 2011;Hasmi, Gross and Scott-Young 2014). This existing research demonstrates that leisure can play a crucial role in processes of migration and 'integration' (e.g., Juniu 2002;Stack and Iwasaki 2009;Stodolska and Alexandris 2004), and that leisure is directly related to the quality of life of migrant people (Rublee and Shaw 1991;Stodolska 1998).…”

Promoting physical activity among children and youth in disadvantaged South Australian CALD communities through alternative community sport opportunities

“…8 Sport, PA and leisure activities have been associated with easing the resettlement process of refugees and newly arrived migrants. 9,10 For example, this relates to leisure as a coping strategy against acculturative stress. 10 the value of sport in the resettlement process.…”

“…9,10 For example, this relates to leisure as a coping strategy against acculturative stress. 10 the value of sport in the resettlement process. 10 These include underlying cultural practices of conventional clubs or sport organisations that may result in a lack of tolerance of cultural diversity and a lack of understanding of needs and priorities of young refugees.…”

“…10 These include underlying cultural practices of conventional clubs or sport organisations that may result in a lack of tolerance of cultural diversity and a lack of understanding of needs and priorities of young refugees. 10 Existing engagement programs are often top-down projects run by state or national sport organisations and are concerned with encouraging clubs to cater for vulnerable populations as opposed to using sport as a vehicle to achieve broader development outcomes. Whilst this approach has its merits, it fails to put social inclusion, mental and physical health at the centre of sport-based community development programs (e.g.…”