Meanings of space and place for Turkish immigrants in The United States: The New Jersey case

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between place and identity; it is concerned with the process of attachment to place and how this process is linked to identity. The context is provided by the Turkish immigrants in Paterson, New Jersey. A total of eight Turkish immigrants between the age of 30-70 were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Transcripts were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke (2006). Participants' quotations were used within the framework of Breakwell's (1986) Identity Process Theory to investigate the degree to which the participants' identity processes were affected by the changes in the spatial environment. Identity Process Theory aims to understand whether the spatial change threaten or enhance the five principles of identity: self esteem, distinctiveness of the self, self efficacy, continuity of the self which described by Breakwell (1986) and additionaly belonging principle which contributed to the theory by Vignoles and friends. As a result of the analysis, two main headings have emerged as identity threat and identity protection themes. Identity-threatening themes were; financial difficulties, fear of losing the culture, physical distance, uncertainty of homecoming and language barrier. It has been concluded that these themes especially threaten the principles of self-efficacy and continuity of identity. Identity protection themes were; familiarity, feeling secure against discrimination, being together with the Turks, making life easier,accessing Turkish food, maintaining religious practices, and technology as shortening the distance. It has been found that these themes serve to support self-efficacy, self-esteem, belonging, continuity and distinctiveness of identity for Turkish migrants in Paterson . In addition, it has been concluded that the attributions to this region has a negative impact on the process of integration to the host's cultures.