Abstract
Refugees are at great risk of developing mental health problems. Yet, little is known about how to optimally help this vulnerable group as there is a lack of evaluated refugee mental health interventions. The current article presents the results of a literature review which investigates the importance of place attachment for the promotion of refugees’ well-being in the resettlement process. This review concentrated on the most recent and current literature regarding the potential role, importance, and relevance of people–place bonds in the dynamic process of refugee resettlement. It examines literature from the field of positive and environmental psychology, highlighting key theoretical concepts and research findings as well as gaps in research. The review revealed that little is known about the dynamics of place bonding, while the debate rages on about the geometry of the psychological constructs of person–place relationships. Yet, knowing more about which needs should be satisfied for easing place bonding could be of crucial importance for facilitating refugee well-being. Ultimately, improving the knowledge and understanding of the phases of this dynamic process could be useful for a more successful implementation of refugee resettlement practices and activities.
Highlights
Insight gained from the reviewed literature about refugee mental ill-health, mental well-being, and the relevance of mental health well-being interventions is presented
A systematic review estimated the chance that refugees in Western countries suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as ten times more likely than that of the local age-matched population
This paper presented a literature review on the role of place attachment for refugee well-being, focusing on how this bond develops both in term of antecedents and as a dynamic process
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, and reduced inequalities are three of the UN sustainable development goals for 2030 [1]. Many efforts have been made, this goal is still out of reach, especially for refugees. It is relevant to examine the current protocols for and future perspectives on promoting refugees’ well-being and positive integration into society. We will give a summary of the present knowledge and relevant literature and the potential role of people–place bonding on the promotion of refugee well-being. Implications for practice and future research are described in order to foster knowledge and understanding of this global issue
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