Roots of Rural Youth: A Five-Year Systematic Review of Place Attachment

Abstract

This systematic review examines how recent scientific literature addresses place attachment among rural youth, emphasizing the central role of emotional bonds with place in decisions to stay, leave, or return to rural areas. Based on an analysis of studies published between 2019 and 2023, it considers factors such as country of publication, study participants, methodology, research approach, theoretical framework, and main findings. A systematic search was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science, applying inclusion criteria based on type of research, year of publication, language, and article relevance. The review includes 19 peer-reviewed articles. Methodologically, the reviewed articles employ both quantitative and qualitative approaches, with questionnaires and semi-structured interviews as the primary data collection techniques. Key themes include urban migration and the relationship between place attachment and environmental awareness. Despite limitations such as regional disparities in study coverage, the findings highlight the challenges faced by rural youth under urbanormative cultural pressures. The review underscores the need for nuanced approaches that are sensitive to gender and other axes of oppression in addressing rural issues, and it advocates for a holistic understanding of rural youth experiences that takes into account intergenerational dynamics shaping their aspirations and decision-making.