Muslims’ Affective and Cognitive Attitudes towards Formal Dementia Care in South Africa: Do They Vary according to Family Structure and the Experience of Familial Caregiving?

Abstract

Background: The feelings and beliefs of some social groups sharing the same values about formal care institutions impacts their likelihood of using such services. Socialisation theory posits that there should not be any difference in attitudes towards formal care in the Muslim community, as they are influenced by the principles of Confucianism. However, demographic, epistemological, and socio-economic trends, as well as globalisation, may be impacting the efficacy of caring for people with dementia (PWD) at home. Objective: This study examines the affective and cognitive attitudes of South African Muslims towards formal care, and whether they vary according to family structure and experience with informal dementia care. Methods: We conducted a survey, administered in the form of an online questionnaire, of Muslim families across each of the 9 provinces of South Africa. The topics addressed included the demographics of the respondents, whether they had experience with informal dementia care, the structure of their family, and affective and cognitive attitudinal variables. Results: 422 responses were analysed, with the results demonstrating negative attitudes across family structures and experience with informal dementia care. This indicates that the changes brought about by economic development and globalisation are not impacting the social influence of the Islam religion towards caregiving. Conclusion: With up to 90% of PWD moving into formal care before they die in some countries, governments and other service providers of formal care need to provide culturally congruent care. There is also a need to build relationships with minority social groups that are not cared for by geriatric service organisations (governmental and non-governmental) in order to break down the negative attitudes that families have about formal care, and provide the families caring for PWD at home with coping strategies and support programmes to enhance the caregiving experience.