Resettlement of older Syrian refugees in Canada: key individual factors of social inclusion

Authors Jill Hanley, Mahmudul Hassan, Adnan Al Mhamied, Sepali Guruge, Oula Hajjare, Michaela Hynie, Rabih Jamil and Erfaneh Razavipour

Location Location: Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia

Context The Syrian civil war, which started in 2011, displaced more than 13 million Syrians. In 2021, over 73,000 Syrian refugees resettled in Canada.

This study looked at the individual indicators of social inclusion among 360 Syrian refugee older adults, age 51 years and older, who arrived in Canada as permanent residents between January 2015 and July 2017. Data was analyzed from years one and two of the four-year Syria Long Term Health Study.

Social inclusion was assessed based on the following factors: immigration status, age, gender, education, health, sense of belonging, language proficiency, acculturation, relationships with family, social networking.

Findings for selected factors

• Sense of belonging The majority of older adults had a high sense of belonging to Canada, their city and neighbourhood. This was based on their perception of how they were treated by Canadians and joining an existing network of friends and relatives already in Canada. This strong sense of belonging facilitated their social inclusion process, helped them integrate into the mainstream community, and reduced loneliness.
• Social connectedness and social support from friends About 85% of respondents had connections with friends from their own ethnic community; 63% had four or more friends in their cities. Peer relationships helped them share sorrows and joys, discuss challenges, and reduce loneliness.
• Language The majority of older participants had low proficiency in Canada’s official languages: English and French. Since spoken language is the main method for interaction, language barriers can limit connections with the mainstream community and affect their social inclusion.
• Health Participants’ self-reported health data suggest 90% of older Syrian refugees are sufficiently healthy to interact with their physical and social surroundings. Better physical health enabled respondents to engage in local community and social activities.

How does this research apply to my work?

• Plan and implement programs that will promote social connections: When older adults have better relationships and regular connections with friends, they can receive psychological and emotional support and feel more connected to society. Strong peer relationships in the host country will allow them to meet friends; engage in social, religious, or volunteer activities; and find other activities.
• Improve access to language training. Older adults are capable of learning a new language. The inability to speak one or both of Canada’s official languages limits opportunities for social engagement.
• Facilitate access to primary health care and health promotion programs to improve their physical health. These can include healthy eating sessions that are culturally tailored, physical activity such as gardening. Good health will make it easy for older adults to remain connected and develop relationships with members of the host community.

What should I take away from this research?

Results from this study indicate a positive environment of social connection, sense of belonging, good health and communication for older Syrian refugees in Canada. These and other factors can create the pathway for social inclusion.

Structural factors also enhanced social inclusion. They arrived in an unusually positive political and social context given the push factors for their migration. A large amount of Syrian refugees arrived at once, creating a large community; they also spent little time in refugee camps.

The key factors used to measure social inclusion can guide service providers in assessing the strengths and needs of other older refugees so that services can be tailored to meet individuals need.