Abstract
This study provides an exploration of the meanings of leisure for humanitarian migrants in regional Australia and these meanings' implications for health. It uses mixed-methods to explore leisure-time physical activity participation and day-to-day experiences of leisure and health. A sample representing approximately one third of the Coffs Coast adult humanitarian migrant population completed the survey, as well as 32 individuals who participated in interviews and focus groups. Findings were organised into three themes and explored issues around mental health and time for leisure, cultural differences in experiencing leisure, and the connections with experiences of other disadvantaged groups. We conclude by arguing that leisure needs to be brought to the fore of discussions around service provision and policy making concerned with the wellbeing of the refugee migrant population, particularly focusing on support for the (re)development of a vocabulary for recreation, as a step forward in the journey to healing and belonging.
Highlights
In 2015, Australia received the third-largest number of re-settled refugees globally, accepting 9,400, or 8.8%, of the 107,100 international resettlement arrivals [1]
This study was initially conceived as an attempt to determine the individual and social factors that influence the patterns of physical activity (PA) and leisure participation among refugees settled in a regional Australian town in order to identify the health implications that could be associated with these patterns
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 Census [22], this sample represents approximately one third of the entire Coffs Coast adult humanitarian migrant population in 2016 ( 690), and presents a distribution very similar to that described by the Australian Bureau of Statistics [22] for the refugee population in the region in regards to region of origin, religion, sex, age, and year of arrival in Australia
Summary
In 2015, Australia received the third-largest number of re-settled refugees globally, accepting 9,400, or 8.8%, of the 107,100 international resettlement arrivals [1]. This study was initially conceived as an attempt to determine the individual and social factors that influence the patterns of physical activity (PA) and leisure participation among refugees settled in a regional Australian town in order to identify the health implications that could be associated with these patterns. It evolved to be an exploration of the meanings of leisure-time physical activity for refugees settled in a new and significantly different social and cultural environment, and how health is implicated in this process.
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