12th Annual International Conference on Psychology, 28-31 May 2018, Athens, Greece | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Stream on “The Influence of Psychosocial Factors on Wellbeing and the Experience of Illness in Diaspora” organized by the Psychology Research Unit of ATINER Stream Leader: Dr. Maria-Irini Avgoulas, Academic Member, ATINER & Associate Lecturer La Trobe University Australia. Diaspora communities exist throughout the world and continue to develop and evolve despite differences to the reason that affected and caused individuals, groups and/or populations to migrate and leave their homeland. The factors that are central to migration, along with the relevant variables, differ among members of a Diaspora group, as well as between various Diaspora groups, despite potential cultural maintenance and assimilation with the host culture being vital aspects of the overall experience. These communities that are recreated in Diaspora have a core need for social connection and the sense of belonging to a cultural construct that is integral to their identity. Diaspora community members often echo the sense of nostalgia, along with the negative emotions of not belonging and express a need for social connection in their overall quality of life, happiness and wellbeing in Diaspora. This session will explore how psychosocial factors and the social environment, such as community connection, culture specific social groups, activities, food and diet, recreation and cultural community membership, may influence both wellbeing and the experience of illness that are significant factors to overall health and the promotion of both health and wellbeing in Diaspora. | Abstract Submitting Form |
