Social inclusion and mild cognitive impairment: a scoping review of barriers, facilitators, and conceptual gaps

OBJECTIVES: Social inclusion is increasingly recognized as a determinant of well-being. However, in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), evidence on factors promoting or hindering social inclusion remains conceptually inconsistent. This scoping review aims to examine how social inclusion is defined in the MCI literature, identify key facilitators and barriers, and explore its impact on well-being. METHOD: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus for peer-reviewed studies published in English. Thirty-one studies were analyzed using thematic synthesis. RESULTS: The findings highlight the absence of a shared definition of social inclusion. Key facilitators include physical and cognitive activities, social and family support, access to inclusive technologies, and community-based programs. Major barriers are cognitive and physical decline, digital illiteracy, stigmatization, and social or geographic isolation. Across studies, higher levels of social inclusion were associated with greater cognitive resilience and psychological well-being. CONCLUSION: Social inclusion appears to play a protective role in the wellbeing of people with MCI. Promoting inclusive practices through digital literacy, participatory care, and supportive environments may reduce social exclusion and help delay cognitive decline. Future research should clarify conceptual definitions and develop consistent tools to assess social inclusion in this population.