The Role of Place Attachment in Promoting Refugees’ Well-Being and Resettlement: A Literature Review

Thomas Albers, Silvia Ariccio, Laura A. Weiss, Federica Dessi and Marino Bonaiuto
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Thomas Albers: Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Silvia Ariccio: Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Laura A. Weiss: Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Department of Social, Health and Organisational Psychology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Federica Dessi: Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Marino Bonaiuto: Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-11

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.

Keywords: well-being; refugees; place attachment; self-determination theory; integration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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