Rural Cultural Influences on Family Acceptance in Schizophrenia Home Care: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia or severe mental disorders can impair an individual's ability to perform daily activities. The extended recovery process necessitates the involvement of family members as primary caregivers for home-based care. The cultural aspects of rural families can accelerate the process of family acceptance. Objective: This study aims to identify the cultural impact in assisting the care process of patients with severe mental disorders at home. Methods: A qualitative ethnographic approach employing focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted with purposively selected participants, including family members, community health cadres, and nurses. Data were analyzed thematically to identify patterns in respondents’ narratives concerning mental health stigma and family caregiving in rural contexts. Results: The study revealed that rural culture shapes family acceptance through three overarching dimensions: caregiving challenges (burden of care and need for guidance), social perceptions (reduced reliance on social support, stigma, and normalization of the patient’s condition), and cultural obligations (community rules not perceived as barriers and caregiving seen as a moral duty). Families also demonstrated efforts to actively support recovery despite these challenges. Conclusions: Addressing caregiving challenges, reducing stigma through community awareness, and fostering culturally grounded support are essential in strengthening familial acceptance and recovery for individuals with schizophrenia in rural settings. Keywords: culture; community care; mental disorder; caregiver