What question did this study set out to answer?

This review aims to explore how environmental factors influence the social connectedness and sense of belonging of racialized immigrant older adults in Canada.

February 22, 2026Open Access

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

Key Points

This review aims to explore how environmental factors influence the social connectedness and sense of belonging of racialized immigrant older adults in Canada.
Conducted a scoping review of literature from multiple databases
Included peer-reviewed articles in English from the last 12 years
Focused on non-White and non-Indigenous individuals aged 55 and older
Utilized qualitative content analysis led by the social ecological model
Identified 37 relevant articles meeting the inclusion criteria
Categorized findings into five levels: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Organizational, Community, and Public Policy
Highlighted interconnected factors affecting social connectedness and belonging
Indicated the importance of considering personal, familial, neighbourhood, and policy factors in support initiatives

Abstract

Background and objective 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. Methods Ageline, CINAHL, Medline (Ovid), APA PsycInfo, Sociological Abstracts, Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database, the Cochrane Database and ProQuest Dissertation (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. Conclusion 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. Implications 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.

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