# A Scoping Review on the Impact of the Environment on Racialized Immigrant Older Adults’ Social Connectedness and Sense of Belonging

## TL;DR

This scoping review explores how the environment affects the social connections and sense of belonging of older immigrant adults from racialized groups in Canada.

## Contribution

The study provides a structured synthesis of factors influencing social connectedness among racialized immigrant older adults using the social ecological model.

## Key findings

- Five interrelated categories were identified across personal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels.
- Factors like personal characteristics, neighborhood, and policy influence social connectedness and belonging.
- Collaboration among families, communities, and policymakers is needed to support this population.

## Abstract

The increasing number of immigrant and older adult populations in Canada is reflected among racialized groups. Migrating to a new country at an older age, language barriers, financial concerns and immigration policies present challenges for connecting to the community. Many racialized immigrant older adults (RIOAs) experience challenges related to engaging in and feeling a sense of belonging in the community. This scoping review maps out and summarizes evidence on the impact of the environment on RIOAs’ social connections and belongingness in Canada.

Ageline, CINAHL, Medline (Ovid), APA PsycInfo, Sociological Abstracts, Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database, the Cochrane Database and ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global were searched for peer‐reviewed articles. Articles were included if they were published in English within the last 12 years, focused on RIOAs (non‐White and non‐Indigenous individuals aged 55 years and above) and reported on their connectedness and/or sense of belonging in Canada. Qualitative content analysis was used to code the data, the interpretation of which was guided by the social ecological model.

Thirty‐seven articles met the inclusion criteria, and five interrelated categories were identified: (1) Intrapersonal Level: RIOAs’ characteristics, expectations and choice of living arrangement; (2) Interpersonal Level: Meaning of social connection and experience of support; (3) Organizational Level: RIOAs’ experience with institutions in Canada; (4) Community Level: RIOAs’ experience in their neighbourhood; and (5) Public Policy Level: Poverty and retirement in Canada.

Interconnected factors that affect RIOAs’ social connectedness and sense of belonging in Canada include personal characteristics, family status, the neighbourhood in which they reside and policy implications. Considering the aforementioned factors in programme and policy development may inform how to better support this population in Canada.

A collaborative effort from family members, neighbours, community members, organizations and policymakers is needed to facilitate RIOAs’ engagement and sense of belonging in the community.