Premium
Well‐being and needs of Malay carers of people with mental illness in Singapore
Author(s) -
Poon Abner Weng Cheong,
Abdul Wahab Noraini,
Salim Radiah,
Ow Rosaleen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
health and social care in the community
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.984
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1365-2524
pISSN - 0966-0410
DOI - 10.1111/hsc.13079
Subject(s) - malay , mental health , mental illness , friendship , qualitative research , nursing , thematic analysis , spirituality , medicine , multiculturalism , psychology , population , psychiatry , social psychology , alternative medicine , sociology , philosophy , linguistics , social science , pedagogy , environmental health , pathology
Despite the importance of carers supporting the lives of people with mental illness, there are limited studies investigating the well‐being and needs of Malay carers in multicultural Singapore. The Malays consist of 13.4% of Singapore's population. A mixed methods qualitative dominant research approach was used to explore the well‐being and needs of Malay carers in a voluntary welfare organisation. The Kessler‐10, Friendship Scale and Carers' and Users' Expectations of Services—Carer version were used to assess the needs and well‐being of 17 Malay carers. Findings show that Malay carers experienced poor well‐being and had numerous unmet needs. Four main themes were found: (a) Concerns related to relatives with mental illness, (b) Mental health practices related to carers, (c) Holistic support for carers and (d) Preference for greater spiritual support in mental health. Recovery‐oriented mental health practice implications are discussed. Spirituality of Malay carers needs to be given greater consideration in recovery‐oriented mental health services.