Data Sheet 1_Between culture and religion: explanatory models of mental health conditions amongst Muslims in Cape Town, South Africa.docx

Data were analyzed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis.</p>Results<p>Findings highlight diverse explanatory models encompassing beliefs, attitudes, causal explanations, perceptions of severity, and treatment preferences. Mental health was understood through an integrated framework of Islamic teachings, cultural norms, and societal expectations. Faith-based coping strategies, such as prayer, trust in Allah, and religious practices, were widely endorsed.

However, stigma remained prominent, with mental health struggles often described as “not spoken about.” This silence was linked to fear of social judgement, misconceptions, and limited mental health literacy.</p>Discussion<p>Findings demonstrated the multifactorial, complex nature of explanatory models and the influence of broader contextual factors on them. These models are continually negotiated in experiences of psychological distress.

Experiences of isolation and delayed help-seeking were emphasised in the community, demonstrating that explanatory models influences help-seeking behavior.</p>