‘Caring for Him Makes Me More Sensitive, like a Kind of Prayer’: Intimate Physical Care for Aging Family Members with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Religious Muslim and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Societies

COMMUNITY	CAREGIVER	AGE	CARE RECIPIENT AGE	DISABILITY TYPE
Haredi	Mother-Shifra	75	54	Severe CP + Moderate IDD
Haredi	Mother-Dorit	70	45	Moderate IDD + Hemiplegia
Haredi	Mother-Rachel	78	47	Severe Autism + Moderate IDD
Haredi	Mother-Miriam	78	47	Severe IDD
Haredi	Sister-Nechama	56	50	Moderate IDD
Haredi	Brother-Netanel	34	54	Moderate Autism + Mild IDD
Haredi	Sister-Sarah	48	47	Moderate IDD
Haredi	Sister-Chaya	48	47	Mild IDD
Haredi Avg	Parents: 75.3	Siblings: 46.5	48.9
Muslim	Mother-Walaa	65	43	Moderate IDD
Muslim	Mother-Amira	76	41	Severe CP + Severe IDD
Muslim	Mother-Samira	76	46	Moderate IDD
Muslim	Mother-Fatima	76	44	Severe Autism + Moderate IDD
Muslim	Sister-Yasmin	57	40	Mild IDD
Muslim	Sister-Limor	68	59	Moderate IDD
Muslim	Brother-Omar	36	42	Mild IDD
Muslim	Sister-Noor	36	41	Moderate IDD + Hemiplegia
Muslim Avg	Parents: 73.3	Siblings: 49.3	44.5

Table 2

Themes, Subcategories, and Representative Examples of Intimate Care in Faith-Based Communities.

THEME	SUBCATEGORIES	REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES	NUMBER OF MEANING UNITS	EXPLANATION
Theme 1: Intimate Care as Preservation of Family Honor	Family unity	‘Caring for him reflects the respect we give to our parents.’	11	Demonstrates the importance of shared responsibility within the family.
	Respecting parents	‘This is what being a family is all about.’	11	Highlights the cultural norm of honoring and prioritizing parents.
	Preserving dignity	‘Even in the smallest details, we maintain dignity.’	12	Reflects the cultural and moral value of treating individuals with respect.
	Modesty	‘I didn’t see this being done modestly.’	8	Addresses how modest behavior is tied to preserving family honor.
Theme 2: Intimate Care as an Act of Religious Kindness	Religious duty	‘This act is done with devotion and faith.’	13	Shows how caregiving is perceived as fulfilling a religious obligation.
	Fulfilling religious commandments	‘It’s both a mitzvah and a way to show kindness.’	13	Links caregiving to specific religious practices and values.
	Connecting with God	‘Through this, I feel closer to the divine.’	10	Demonstrates the spiritual connection fostered through caregiving.
	Internal appreciation	‘It feels like angelic work, motivated by belief.’	9	Reflects the inner sense of fulfillment and purpose through faith-based caregiving.
Theme 3: Intimate Care as a Means for Self-Improvement	Personal growth	‘Caring for him is to make me more sensitive, a kind of prayer.’	12	Highlights how caregiving fosters emotional sensitivity and spiritual development.
	Faith and resilience	‘You can despair, and it won’t help you. However, you can see it as a true test of faith.’	10	Shows how individuals use caregiving as a way to build resilience.
	Acceptance of others	‘My role is to expand the circle of containment and acceptance of the other and the different.’	8	Reflects how caregiving encourages inclusion and acceptance of diversity.