Influence of Social and Cultural Environment on Caregiving Patterns and Experiences of Religious Informal Caregivers.

Abstract

The research question of this study is: To what extent does the social and cultural environment influence caregiving patterns (and experiences) of religious informal caregivers? This research is qualitative and semi-structured interviews have been conducted. The results show that motives to provide informal care of religious people are namely based on a consideration of the norms and values of a person and part of the decision is based on custom and tradition. The majority of the religious informal caregivers believe that providing informal care is their moral duty. Moral ambivalences do occur, in terms of experiencing both positive and negative emotions and conflicting expectations by their environment or the society. To conclude, this research shows that the social and cultural environment indeed influences informal caregiving practices. Further research could focus on other religious groups and what kind of informal care appreciation works the best.