Research Information System
Leisure Studies, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
This study examines the civil society engagement and active citizenship practices of refugee high school students in Türkiye, focusing on their leisure time as a key factor in their integration. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach, the study sampled 276 students for the quantitative phase and 27 for the qualitative phase. Data were collected through an 87-item questionnaire and 43 semi-structured interviews, analysed via SPSS and content analysis, respectively. This direct engagement with students distinguishes the study from others that rely mostly on data from stakeholders. The findings reveal that many refugee students lack engagement in cultural or social activities, and work to support their families and spend much of their free time at home. Female students face constraints in their leisure time due to traditional gender roles, primarily helping with domestic chores, while male students are more actively involved in sports. Most have minimal political and NGO involvement.