Religion/spirituality, therapeutic landscape and immigrant mental well-being amongst African immigrants to Canada

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study explores the experiences of African immigrants’ religious place making and its relationship to health and well-being. Attention is paid to how religious places are seen as therapeutic and their impact on well-being of Ghanaian and Somali immigrants in Hamilton, Ontario. Our analysis of the interviews, emerging from the therapeutic landscape lens underscores the importance of immigrants’ religious places and activities in shaping health in their new destination. The results indicate that places of worship are significant for physical health, social, emotional, spiritual, mental and general quality of life amongst immigrants. Future research employing the therapeutic landscape theory may explore the links between health and place in specific religious places and activities.