Roles and Experiences of Informal Caregivers in Thai Rural Families and Communities: A Qualitative Meta-synthesis.
Keywords:
informal caregivers, rural Thailand, long-term care, qualitative meta-synthesisAbstract
This survey research by qualitative meta-synthesis applied a meta-ethnographic approach to examine the roles and lived experiences of informal caregivers in rural Thailand. A systematic search of national and international databases (2021–2025) identified 84 studies; 12 qualitative studies met Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) criteria and were included for interpretive synthesis.
Seven core meaning components emerged: 1) caregiving grounded in cultural attachment and filial obligation, 2) multidimensional caregiving burden, 3) family–community networks as natural support systems, 4) fragmented health and welfare services, 5) role-based isolation and emotional vulnerability, 6) faith and ritual practices as emotional sustenance, and 7) local wisdom as a practical care resource. These findings informed the development of the Rural Care Ecosystem Model, which illustrates interactions across cultural–familial values, individual experiences, community networks, and health system structures.
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