Jill Wilson

This qualitative study explores the influence of Malay culture and religion in shaping the pathways of help seeking for family carers of older adults with mental health problems in rural Malaysia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with family carers of older adults diagnosed with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Thematic analysis was used to analyse patterns within the data. Based upon the perspectives of family carers, findings show how cultural and religious beliefs and practices provided support to carers, and highlight how carers manage the intersection of culture and religion with psychiatric treatment for their family members with mental illness.