Carer Perspectives on the Influence of Spirituality, Religion and Culture on the Mental Health of African Australians

Introduction: Mental health experiences among African Australians are influenced by cultural beliefs, spirituality, religion and caregiving expectations. This study explored carers’ perspectives on how these factors shape mental health experiences and caregiving practices. Methods: Guided by Leininger’s transcultural nursing framework, a descriptive phenomenological design using Colaizzi’s method was employed. Ten African Australian carers, recruited through purposive and snowball sampling, participated in semi-structured interviews. Results: Two themes emerged: (a) cultural and social influences on caregiving, and (b) spirituality and religion as central to mental health. Participants described caregiving as shaped by cultural expectations, gender roles, stigma and transnational family obligations. Spirituality and religion influenced understandings of mental illness, coping and help-seeking, with faith-based practices often used alongside formal services. Discussion/Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of culturally responsive mental health care that acknowledges spirituality, religion, family and community values. Integrating these perspectives may strengthen trust, reduce stigma and promote holistic, person-centred care for African Australian communities.