Experiences of belonging following homelessness: a systematic review and meta-aggregation

ABSTRACT

Belonging is a human need and an essential component of community integration following homelessness. Little is known about the range of studies exploring experiences of belonging following homelessness. We conducted this systematic review and meta-aggregation to address this gap using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines (PRISMA). We searched seven databases (EMBASE; PsychINFO; CINAHL; Medline; AMED; Nursing and Allied Health Database; and Sociological Abstracts), combining three main concepts: 1) homelessness; 2) belonging; and 3) transition. The search identified 2504 titles and abstracts. Of these, we included 33 studies in our review and meta-aggregation. Our meta-aggregation generated four themes describing experiences of belonging following homelessness: 1) developing a sense of belonging is a challenging process in the transition to housing; 2) shifting connections and finding new belonging; 3) belonging through engaging in meaningful activities; and 4) housing as a foundation for connection. These findings indicate that housing stability creates opportunities to belong but developing a sense of belonging is a difficult process involving changes in social networks facilitated by engaging with others in meaningful activities.

KEYWORDS:

• belonging
• homeless persons
• housed
• meaningful activities
• connection

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the peer reviewers for their contributions in the publication process and would like to express our gratitude for their feedback and efforts. We also acknowledge Roxanne Isard, an academic librarian at Western University, who provided valuable input during the development of the search strategy.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by a grant awarded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in the form of a project grant awarded to the senior author of this paper (CM).

Notes on contributors

Patti Plett

Patti Plett is a PhD student at Western University in London, ON. At the time of writing this article, Patti was a Master's student in the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences program at Western University.

Abe Oudshoorn

Abe Oudshoorn is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at Western University.

Rebecca Gewurtz

Rebecca Gewurtz is an Associate Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University.

Cheryl Forchuk

Cheryl Forchuk is a Distinguished Professor in the School of Nursing at Western University and a Research Chair and Assistant Director at Lawson Health Research Institute.

Marisa Kfrerer

Marisa Kfrerer is a PhD Candidate in the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences program at Western University.

Shauna Perez

Shauna Perez is a Master's student in the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences program at Western University.

Corinna Easton

Corinna Easton is a PhD Candidate in the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences program at Western University.

Carrie Anne Marshall

Carrie Anne Marshall is an Assistant Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at Western University.