Feeling valued and included in later life: psychological belonging and ageism among community-dwelling older adults in Iran

Iran’s ageing population presents distinct social challenges within a culture where belonging has been traditionally based on family relationships. While research suggests ageism may affect a sense of belonging, this association remains unexplored in non-Western contexts with traditionally family-centred values. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between ageism experiences and sense of belonging among older Iranian adults. A sample of 302 community-dwelling older adults (mean age = 67.75 years, SD = 6.59) from Tehran and Qazvin completed the Ageism Survey Scale and Sense of Belonging Instrument. Results showed that older adults who reported a lower sense of belonging also reported more experiences of ageism. Hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that the full model, including demographic variables and sense of belonging, explained 8% of the variance in ageism experiences, with belonging accounting for 7% of the variance beyond demographic factors. Additionally, higher education levels, higher socio-economic status, and visits from relatives were associated with stronger psychological belonging. These findings contribute to understanding how demographic factors and a sense of belonging relate to ageism experiences in a non-Western, collectivist culture where older adults are traditionally valued.