Family Caregiving as a Moral and Spiritual Commitment in Zambia’s Mental Health Care Setting

Family caregivers of individuals with chronic psychosis often navigate cultural, social, and emotional challenges while providing care.This study explored the moral and spiritual dimensions of caregiving, focusing on how family, cultural values, and spiritual beliefs shape caregivers' commitment and coping approaches.Using an interpretive phenomenological design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 caregivers, and data were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis by Smith et.al (2009) criteria.The results had four superordinate themes; Providing care as a religious duty; Moral duty rooted in kinship and culture; Psychological and emotional strain; Coping through resourcefulness and faith.Findings showed that caregiving is viewed as a moral duty grounded in family and cultural expectations.Caregivers formed their roles as acts of love, loyalty, and responsibility, reinforced by spiritual beliefs that endure perseverance despite stigma, discrimination, and societal opposition.The study highlights that moral commitment serves as both motivation and ethical compass, guiding caregivers through demanding circumstances.However, the findings also showed risks of emotional exhaustion and self-neglect, pointing to the need for institutional and social support.Recognizing caregiving as a moral and culturally informed commitment provides insights for health professionals and policymakers to develop culturally sensitive interventions that support family caregivers' well-being while strengthening their moral stance.