[Promoting self-help among family caregivers with a migration background: A qualitative study of self-help group...

In Germany, most people in need of long-term care are cared for at home. Among people with a Turkish migration background, care is particularly often provided by family members. Although  self-help groups offer valuable support, they are rarely utilized.

Identification of strategies, barriers and support needs to enhance participation in self-help groups among  family caregivers with a migration background.

A total of 1029 providers of self-help groups were invited to participate in an online survey addressing structural characteristics, strategies to promote participation, perceived barriers and support needs. Closed questions were analyzed descriptively, while open-ended responses were examined using qualitative content analysis.

Data from 176 providers were available for the analysis and 44.9% reported actively involving family caregivers with a migration background. Frequent strategies included direct outreach through disseminators and cooperation with migrant organizations. Key barriers compromised language barriers (62.5%), lack of awareness of available services (56.8%) and cultural differences (48.9%). Important support measures included public outreach, network building and interpreting services.

The results highlight the need for structural support and intercultural approaches to improve access to and sustained participation in self-help groups among family caregivers with a migration background.