Qualitative interviewing of Malay caregivers: stigma and mental health problems of older adults

ABSTRACT

In many cultures, diagnoses of mental illness are commonly associated with stigmatisation. Negative attitudes and beliefs cause significant problems not only for people with mental illness but also for their caregivers. Such attitudes and beliefs are embedded in cultural, religious and social contexts. It is important therefore to understand experiences of stigma in a range of contexts. This article reports on a qualitative study of the experiences of fourteen Malay caregivers’ of older people with a mental health problem in Kelantan, Malaysia. The in-depth interview data were analysed thematically. The impacts of stigma are reported in relation to caregivers’ life course opportunities; shame and embarrassment in a small community; a complex mix of understandings and the role of religion and culture in help-seeking behaviour. The challenges and ways forward to address this sensitive issue in this particular socio-cultural context are presented.

KEYWORDS:

• Stigma
• mental health
• caregiver
• Malaysia
• ageing

Notes on contributors

Fatimah Zailly Ahmad Ramli is a senior lecturer in Social Work, School of Applied Psychology, Social Work and Policy, College of Arts and Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia. The research reported in this paper was undertaken as part of a PhD in Social Work at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia under the supervision of the second and third author. Email: [email protected]

Cheryl Tilse is Associate Professor of Social Work in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Jill Wilson is Professor of Social Work in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Notes

1. Traditional healer.

2. Religious healer.