Recently arrived migrant women's attachments to urban green spaces - A narrative inquiry

The migratory experience is characterised by change and disruption and can involve many associated stressors that negatively impact upon migrants’ health; however, place attachment, particularly among restorative places such as urban green spaces, is suggested to serve as a protective factor during this transitional period. This study explored recently arrived migrant women’s attachments to urban green spaces, and aimed to answer the following research question: What meanings do recently arrived migrant women attach to their experiences of urban green space? Participants were nine recently arrived migrant women (aged 22-35 years) who had been residing in the Wellington region of Aotearoa for no less than two months and no more than five years. Qualitative narrative interviews took place in participant-chosen urban green spaces and were conducted using the walking interview method. Interview data was then analysed using a narrative analysis as informed by Murray’s (1997) Levels of narrative analysis. The findings are presented as nine individual narratives and follow an order loosely based on the extent to which participants’ identities were affected by disruptions brought on by their migration experience. The first four stories represent the most disrupted narratives across the data set. Following that, the next three stories represent narratives of subtle or minor disruption. And lastly, the final two stories represent narratives of non-disruption and identity continuity. For participants who experienced major or minor disruptions, attaching to and visiting their chosen urban green space meant having a secure place to both seek refuge in times of disruption and to subsequently deal with these disruptions. Green space was used to eventually bring identity continuity back to their lives or to foster transformative change. For participants who experienced non-disruption, urban green space afforded a sense of personal continuity and was used to connect to home. Findings from the present study have implications for both practice and theory. Firstly, across practice and counselling contexts, green space may be a viable and culturally appropriate health and well-being resource for recent migrants adjusting amidst this period of transition. And secondly, findings from this research contributes to our theoretical understanding of the relationship between new migrants and new places, suggesting that this relationship may be multifaceted, reciprocal and long-lasting.