Immigrants' Adaptation and Interracial/Interethnic Interactions in Natural Environments

Monika Stodolska, Karin Peters, Anna Horolets

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study examined the role of leisure in natural environments in immigrants' adaptation, with a particular emphasis on facilitating interracial/interethnic interactions. Berry's adaptation framework was used as a theoretical framework. The project used in-depth individual interviews with 70 immigrants from China, Latin America, Morocco, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam residing in the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland. The findings showed that recreation in natural environments promoted immigrants' psychological adaptation by helping to improve psychological and emotional well-being, develop feelings of attachment, strengthen social ties, and build memories and family traditions. The sociocultural adaptation was increased when immigrants learned about the culture of the host countries. The natural environments were not particularly conducive to establishing interactions with strangers but were convenient settings for interacting with families and members of the ethnic community.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)475-491
Number of pages17
JournalLeisure Sciences
Volume39
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2 2017

Keywords

  • adaptation
  • immigration
  • interracial/interethnic interactions
  • leisure
  • natural environments

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Immigrants' Adaptation and Interracial/Interethnic Interactions in Natural Environments'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this