Exploring Leisure Constraints of Syrian Refugees in Turkey

Abstract

One of the neglected aspects of Syrian refugees' lives is leisure and its positive role in adaptation and integration. In this study, employing the model of leisure constraints proposed by Crawford et al. (1991) as a framework, we examine the leisure constraints that Syrian refugees face in their daily lives in Türkiye. The data for this study comes from 47 in-depth interviews with Syrian refugees living in Istanbul three months before the 2023 presidential election. We found many examples representing each category of leisure constraints proposed by the framework, including constraints specific to Syrian refugees. The findings suggest that Syrian refugees are most affected by structural constraints, followed by intrapersonal and interpersonal constraints. Furthermore, the findings point to the influence of social class on leisure preferences and participation and the power dynamics that can create hierarchies regarding leisure between Syrian and Turkish communities.