Feminist understandings of newcomer women's embodiment

In recent years, numerous scholars have advocated for the concept of embodiment—defined as the experience of engaging one's body with the world (Allan, 2005; Piran & Teall, 2012)—as a valuable framework for understanding women's experiences of their bodies. However, there is a paucity...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta psychologica 2024-10, Vol.250, p.104554, Article 104554
Main Authors: Green, Amy Rose, Kassan, Anusha, Charania, Farah, Russell-Mayhew, Shelly, Goopy, Suzanne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anthropology, Cultural
Arts-based engagement ethnography
Body Image - psychology
Canada
Embodiment
Emigrants and Immigrants - psychology
Female
Feminism
Feminist research
Humans
Middle Aged
Newcomer women
Reflexivity
Refugees - psychology
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Summary:In recent years, numerous scholars have advocated for the concept of embodiment—defined as the experience of engaging one's body with the world (Allan, 2005; Piran & Teall, 2012)—as a valuable framework for understanding women's experiences of their bodies. However, there is a paucity of research on embodiment specifically among newcomer women (including immigrants, refugees, and non-permanent residents) who belong to racialized groups in Canada. This article presents findings from a feminist research study employing an Arts-Based Engagement Ethnography (ABEE) methodology to investigate the embodiment experiences of six racialized newcomer women in Canada. The study reveals several unique factors influencing embodiment in this demographic, suggesting that future research, clinical practice, and social justice efforts should consider these factors both conceptually and methodologically. •Newcomer women view their bodies as multifaceted, integrating physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.•They see their bodies relationally, with embodied experiences shaping and being shaped by their connections to others.•Spirituality nurtures a sense of wholenesss, connecting women to larger entities through art, music, and dance.•Sociocultural expectations affect how women percieve their bodies, shaped by societal and interpersonal influences.•Embodiment deepy impacts newcomer women's wellbeing influencing their integration into Canadian society across life areas.
ISSN:0001-6918
1873-6297
1873-6297
DOI:10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104554