Navigating caregiving across South Asian cultures: a scoping review of mental health challenges in South Asian communities

Background: Caregiving in South Asian families is grounded in cultural norms of filial duty and collective responsibility, yet these same norms can obscure the physical, emotional, social, and financial strain experienced by caregivers of relatives with mental illness.Objective: To map and synthesize recent evidence on caregiver burden among South Asian informal caregivers supporting individuals with psychiatric conditions, identify key determinants and consequences of burden, and outline implications for practice, policy, and research. Methods: Guided by Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the Population, Concept, Context (PCC) framework, we searched AgeLine, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PubMed (July–September 2025) using terms related to caregiver burden and South Asian populations. English-language studies from the past 10 years that focused on informal caregivers of individuals with mental health conditions were included. Two independent reviewers screened records. Data were charted and analyzed using an inductive content approach. Results: Of 671 records identified, 449 titles/abstracts were screened, 97 full texts were assessed, and 17 studies met inclusion criteria. Caregiver burden was consistently moderate to severe. Illness severity, disability, lower education, younger age, rural residence, and shorter treatment duration were associated with higher burden. Women and spousal caregivers reported disproportionate strain. Consequences included depression, anxiety, social disruption, and reduced quality of life. Adaptive coping (e.g., problem-focused, religious/spiritual practices) mitigated burden; information needs and gaps in psychoeducation were common. Conclusions: Caregiver burden in South Asia is pervasive and multidimensional. Culturally responsive interventions include psychoeducation, counseling, peer support, respite, and family-based approaches, alongside policies that address stigma, access, affordability, and gendered caregiving roles.