Factors Associated with Quality of Life among the elderly in Thung Song Municipality, Thung Song district, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

          This study is a cross-sectional research aimed at examining the factors associated with the quality of life of elderly individuals in Thung Song Municipality, Thung Song District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The sample group consisted of 388 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above. The research instruments included a family relationship questionnaire, a questionnaire on the needs for quality of life development among the elderly, and the WHO Quality of Life Brief Version in Thai. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, including Chi-square and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

          The research findings indicated that demographic characteristics were not significantly associated with quality of life at a statistical significance level of 0.05. However, family relationships and all four dimensions of the quality of life were significantly associated at a 0.01 significance level. Additionally, the needs for quality of life development, particularly in the psychological and environmental dimensions, showed a significant association with quality of life at the 0.01 level, while the social welfare dimension was significantly associated at the 0.05 level. Based on these findings, relevant organizations such as Thung Song Municipality and Thung Song Hospital should consider implementing programs that encourage family members to spend time together engaging in both indoor and outdoor activities. Moreover, promoting open communication, consultation, and joint decision-making among family members is recommended to enhance the quality of life of the elderly.