Happiness, Distress and Mental Health of the Elderly in a Community in the Upper North Region of Thailand
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objective : To study the meaning of happiness, distress and mental health of older persons in a community in the upper north region, Thailand
Methodology : A critical ethnographic study which studied 150 elderly persons and those in the community providing care. Subjects were aged 22-92 years. The study was conducted in a sub-district of the upper north region of Thailand. Participatory observation, in-depth interviews, group discussion and field records were employed to collect data. Data were analyzed by content analysis. The study was conducted from
October 2015 - December 2016.
Results : The community provided the meaning of mental health in two aspects: being happy and having normal mental health. Good mental health was composed of being happy, having normal mental health, having good health, being quickly adaptable, and being helpful to others. Happiness referred to being happy due to not being sick, having
an income, being able to go to temples, having good children and grandchildren, and being helpful to others. Distress was caused by children and grandchildren, family, illness, not being able to earn income and not being able to travel.
Conclusion : According to the findings on the meanings of mental health, happiness and distress among older persons, the suggestions for mental health promotion for older persons were as follows. mental health promotion for older persons should be supported by the family as it is the most important and closest source. Increasing a community’s
potential in building mental health which covers the meaning of mental health, happiness and distress among older persons should also be administered.
Methodology : A critical ethnographic study which studied 150 elderly persons and those in the community providing care. Subjects were aged 22-92 years. The study was conducted in a sub-district of the upper north region of Thailand. Participatory observation, in-depth interviews, group discussion and field records were employed to collect data. Data were analyzed by content analysis. The study was conducted from
October 2015 - December 2016.
Results : The community provided the meaning of mental health in two aspects: being happy and having normal mental health. Good mental health was composed of being happy, having normal mental health, having good health, being quickly adaptable, and being helpful to others. Happiness referred to being happy due to not being sick, having
an income, being able to go to temples, having good children and grandchildren, and being helpful to others. Distress was caused by children and grandchildren, family, illness, not being able to earn income and not being able to travel.
Conclusion : According to the findings on the meanings of mental health, happiness and distress among older persons, the suggestions for mental health promotion for older persons were as follows. mental health promotion for older persons should be supported by the family as it is the most important and closest source. Increasing a community’s
potential in building mental health which covers the meaning of mental health, happiness and distress among older persons should also be administered.
Article Details
How to Cite
Boontoch, K., & Nuntaboot, K. (2017). Happiness, Distress and Mental Health of the Elderly in a Community in the Upper North Region of Thailand. Journal of the Psychiatric Association of Thailand, 62(3), 257–270. Retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JPAT/article/view/100790
Section
Original Articles
Articles submitted for consideration must not have been previously published or accepted for publication in any other journal, and must not be under review by any other journal.