Experiences in building social connectedness and sense of belonging: Voices from African migrants in Australia

Strategies to address social exclusion often involve promoting social connectedness and a sense of belonging. Drawing from existing literature on social inclusion, social connectedness, and belonging, including the use of primary data, this study explored the experiences of African migrants regarding their sense of connectedness and belonging in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online with 16 African migrants living in Australia. Using purposive sampling, participants were recruited through community groups across various towns and cities. Interviews were conducted via Teams and Zoom video calls, and subsequently transcribed manually for thematic analysis. Findings highlight the necessity for interventions targeting isolation and discrimination to enhance the mental health and quality of life of African migrants. Additionally, the study revealed that while belonging and connectedness are often used interchangeably, they can coexist independently, thus underscoring the importance of distinguishing between these two concepts for social work practitioners. Moreover, understanding both connectedness and belonging offers a more nuanced perspective on social isolation, challenging the notion that inclusion and isolation are binary opposites. It suggests that individuals can simultaneously experience inclusion and isolation, emphasizing the complexity of social dynamics among migrant communities in Australia.