[Factors affecting the use of self-help services among family caregivers with a history of migration: A qualitative analysis from the perspective of providers].

Factors affecting the use of self-help services among family caregivers with a history of migration: A qualitative analysis from the perspective of providers Abstract:

Background

Despite the high potential of self-help services for relief and support for family caregivers, people with a history of migration remain significantly underrepresented. Aim: While previous research has mainly focused on the perspective of family caregivers, this study explores the viewpoint of self-help service providers.

Methods

To identify factors influencing the participation of family caregivers with a history of migration in self-help services, 13 semi-structured expert interviews with 16 self-help group providers across Germany were conducted and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Key barriers include language difficulties, culturally shaped role perceptions, lack of information, experiences of discrimination, and insufficient intercultural openness. Facilitating factors comprise low-threshold, locally accessible and native-language services, digital formats, peer-to-peer approaches, cultural mediators, and participatory design. Cooperation with communities and institutions, as well as supportive political frameworks, were also identified as crucial for sustainable participation.

Conclusions

The findings extend existing research by adding organizational and systemic perspectives. Participatory, culturally sensitive, and digitally-supported approaches are essential to improve accessibility and acceptance of self-help groups for family caregivers with a history of migration. The study provides practical recommendations for the diversity-oriented development of self-help services.