The Effects of an Enhancing Posttraumatic Growth Program on Happiness among Survivors from Unrest Situations in the Southernmost Provinces, Thailand
Keywords:
Violence victims, Unrest Situations, Southern Thailand, Posttraumatic Health Care, Mental HealthAbstract
This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the effects of an enhancing posttraumatic growth program on the moral well-being of survivors from acts of violence, caused by the long-lasting low intensity internal war that killed more than 7,000 persons, mostly civilians in 20 years, in the southernmost provinces of Thailand.
Program is based on the conceptual framework of Tedeschi & Calhoun, as well as literature reviews. It consists in five 90 minutes sessions over 5 weeks. Participants comprised 60 survivors aged 20 to 60 years, who met the inclusion criteria. They were assigned either to the experimental or control group, with 30 participants in each group. The research instruments consisted of: 1) the enhancing posttraumatic growth program, 2) the demographic data questionnaire, and 3) a well-being questionnaire. Content validity of instrument parts 1 and 2 was verified by three experts. The reliability of the happiness questionnaire was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, yielding a value of .83. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, paired t-test, and independent t-test.
The results showed that the experimental group, after participating in the program, exhibited a significantly higher mean score for well-being (M=34.43, SD=1.478) than before (M=28.95, SD=1.402) (t=16.007, P< .001). Additionally, after receiving the program, the experimental group demonstrated a significantly higher mean score of happiness (M=34.43, SD=1.478) than the control group (M=29.67, SD=1.807) (t=11.184, P< .001).
Therefore, health care professionals in the South are welcome to apply this new program to ease the suffering of the war survivors.
References
Arin, N. (2012). Study of the Causes and Effects of Positive Psychological Capital on Mental Well-Being and Work Behavior under Unrest Situation of Health Personnel in Southern Border Provinces. [Doctor's thesis]. Srinakharinwirot University. (in Thai)
Bamrungyat, R., & Chunil, M. (2019). Achievement Motivation and Ability to Face and Slash. Obstacles that predict job happiness of transport organization employees. Journal Chankasemsan, 20(38), 107-116. (in Thai)
Boonyamalik, P. (2014). The Establishment of the psychological impact scale for crisis events-10 (PISCES-10). Journal of Srithanya Hospital, 15(1), 8-21. (in Thai)
Dami., N. (2014). Post-traumatic Growth of Survivors of Trauma Situations. Unrest in the Southern Region. [Thesis] Prince of Songkhla University. (in Thai)
Deep South Watch. (2016). State of Conflict in Southern Thailand. Retrieved July 2, 2023 from https://deepsouthwatch.org/th/node/8673
Department of Mental Health. (2011). A Guide to Create Happiness at the Provincial Level Pocket Happiness Strategy. Nonthaburi: Creative Guru. (in Thai)
Holumyong, C., Prasartkul, P., & Thianlai, K. (2014). The Happiness of RuralRural Population in the 3 Southern Border Provinces in Thailand. Retrieved July 2, 2023 from https://ipsr.mahidol.ac.th/post_research/. (in Thai)
Kaewnui, S. (2017). Events in the Southern Border Provinces/Patani, 2016: Rhythm in Transition from Fighting with "Weapons" to "Peaceful Means". Retrieved July 2, 2023 from http://www.deepsouthwatch.org/node/10037/. (in Thai)
Kantasorn, T., Hanjorn, J., & Suttitatip, S. (2016). Development of the dialectical behavior group counseling program on posttraumatic growth of breast cancer patients. Journal of Education, 27(3), 172 – 187. (in Thai)
Kim, J., Kim, M., & Park, S. H. (2016). Exploring the Relationship Among Posttraumatic Growth, Life Satisfaction, and Happiness Among Korean Individuals with Physical Disabilities. Retrieved July 2, 2023 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27297452
Muesa, P., Kongsuwan, V., & Suttrangsi, W. (2019). Effects of a rehabilitation program. Mental strength of orphans from unrest in border provinces South. Journal of Narathiwat Rajanagarindra University, (11)3, 69-81. (in Thai)
Pengcharoen, T., Kongsuwan, V., & Suttarungsi, W. (2021). Manage the psychological distress of coping of adolescents affected by the unrest situation in the South. Journal of the Nursing Council, 36(2), 6-79. (in Thai)
Phromphet, W., & Songwattana, P. (2018). Research synthesis on psychotherapy. The mind of those affected by the unrest situation in the southern border provinces. Journal Arts, Prince of Songkla University, (10)1, 352-380. (in Thai)
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2014). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice (9th ed.). China: Wolters Kluwer Health.
Rider, S. H. (2004). Psychological distress: Concept analysis. Journal of Advance Nursing, 45(5), 536-545.
S.P.P. Relief Work Group. (2022). Statistics on Losses and Relief Assistance for Victims of Unrest Events in The Southern Border Provinces from 2004-2022 (data as of 30 November 2022). Retrieved March 15, 2022 from https://www.sbpac.go.th/?p=55404. (in Thai)
Suwanchatri, K. (2012). The Situation of Unrest In The Southern Border Provinces. (Master's thesis). Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. (in Thai)
Suwanmanee M., Saexia W., & Songwattana P. (2014). The relationship between mental health power and perceived caring burden among caregivers of victims from the unrest in the southern border provinces of Thailand. Princess of Naradhiwas University Journal, 6(3). 24-35. (in Thai)
Suwanawat, J. (2015). The effect of a group learning program on mental crisis management on the mental health of adolescents affected by the unrest situation in the south. [Master's Thesis]. Prince of Songkhla University. (in Thai)
Siljaru, T. (2007). Research and analysis of statistical data. Bangkok: V.Interprint.
Tedeschi, R.G., & Calhoun, L.G. (1995). Trauma and transformation: Growing in the aftermath of suffering. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Thammakraisorn, S. (2016). PTSD, mental illness from violent events. Retrieved May 15, 2023 from https://www.rama.mahidol.ac.th/ramachannel/article/. (in Thai)
Tohmeena, P. (2011). People in the southern border still have good mental health. It was found that the mind can be revived after dealing with a crisis. Retrieved May 15, 2023 from https://dmh.go.th/news-dmh/view.asp?id=28102. (in Thai)
Tohmeena, P. (2018). In-depth look at statistics on "suicides" at the southern border. Retrieved May 15, 2023 from https://www.isranews.org/content-page/item/. (in Thai)
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Nursing and Education
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
