No place like home: Exploring social belonging for older immigrant Muslim women

Abstract

Older adults who lack a secure sense of social belonging may experience loneliness, isolation, and feelings of being ostracized in their communities. However, little attention has been paid to the experiences of immigrant Muslim older (IMO) women and their sense of belongingness in the literature. This qualitative descriptive photo-elicitation study aimed to address this gap by exploring how immigrant Muslim older women in Edmonton, Alberta cultivated social belonging. To guide the coding and conceptualization of belongingness, an integrative framework on belongingness was utilized. The research project, of which this thesis is a part of, focused on social connectedness of IMO women. For this thesis, 14 participants were selected and thematic analysis was conducted on the transcripts and images captured during the study. The findings suggest that a sense of belonging is influenced by feelings of loneliness and loss, as well as opportunities for community engagement, and social competencies related to maintaining family relationships. Additionally, the findings indicate the importance of IMO women’s perceptions and reflections on aging experiences in shaping a sense of belonging for IMO women. These findings not only provide insight into the intricate and ever-changing nature of belongingness but also emphasize the need for structural support to benefit both IMO women and the communities they reside in.