Religious attitudes and barriers towards people with mental health problems: a perspectives of caregivers in Shamva · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Jonga, Clara

Title

Religious attitudes and barriers towards people with mental health problems: a perspectives of caregivers in Shamva

Abstract

This study explored religious attitudes and the barriers they create for individuals with mental health problems, using a qualitative approach to examine the intersection of faith-based beliefs and mental health stigma. A phenomenological design was employed, involving 13 participants, including religious leaders, mental health practitioners, and caregivers of individuals with lived experience of mental illness. Data was collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Findings indicate many caregivers attributed mental illness to spiritual causes such as witchcraft, ancestral displeasure, spirit possession, or divi ne punishment, biomedical causes such as genetic, and substance induced causes. These views are often influenced by traditional African religion, Pentecostalism, Islam and other Christian movements in the region. The results highlight that these different beliefs about the causes of mental illness have various effects such stigmatization and discrimination, social exclusion, unemployment and poverty among others. The study had three key objectives which were to identify causes of mental illness as perceived by caregivers, effects of religious beliefs towards those with mental illness and to suggest possible measures that can be put in place to address negative attitudes and Barrier rooted in religious beliefs towards individual with mental illness in Shamva Ward 20. The study drew upon to examine how individuals with mental illness are perceived and treated within religious and social settings. This theory explains how people's existing beliefs and attitudes influence their acceptance or rejection of new idea s. In this context, religious communities often interpret mental illness through pre existing spiritual or moral frameworks, placing information about mental health outside their latitude of acceptance. As a result, many individuals with mental illness face judgment, rejection, or indifference, especially when their condition contradicts dominant religious beliefs. The study's recommendation includes enhancing collaboration between mental health professionals and religious leaders to shift these attitudes over, strategies include public awareness campaigns, demystifying myths, and introductions of community project and vocational training.

Date

June 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Religious attitude

Mental health

Caregivers

Supervisor

Mr F. Sadomba