ปัจจัยทำนายความเครียดของผู้สูงอายุตอนต้น ในอำเภอวังทอง จังหวัดพิษณุโลก

Chalalai Changraveang; Rung Wongwat

Authors

Chalalai Changraveang Student in Master of Public Health Program, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University
Rung Wongwat Assistant Professor, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University

Keywords:

Stress, Young-old adults, Mental health

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine stress levels and identify factors predicting stress among young-old adults. The samples consisted of 420 young-old adults aged 60-69 years residing in Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province, selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires. The research instruments included a personal factors questionnaire, an environmental factors questionnaire, a health factors questionnaire, a cognitive impairment screening test for older adults, a self-esteem scale, a family and social factors questionnaire, and the Suanprung Stress Test (SPST-20), with reliability coefficients ranging from 0.71 to 0.73. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis.
The findings indicated that most young-old adults had low levels of stress (40.0%). The significant predictors of stress among young-old adults (p-value < 0.05) included falling in the past 6 months ( $\beta$ = 0.236, p-value < 0.001), economic loss ( $\beta$ = 0.213, p-value < 0.001), cognitive impairment ( $\beta$ = 0.179, p-value < 0.001), physical environment around the residence ( $\beta$ = 0.154, p-value < 0.001), income adequacy ( $\beta$ = 0.134, p-value < 0.001), housing ( $\beta$ = 0.130, p-value = 0.001), age ( $\beta$ = 0.091, p-value = 0.013), health insurance scheme ( $\beta$ = -0.108, p-value = 0.002) and self-esteem ( $\beta$ = -0.248, p-value < 0.001). These factors collectively explained 50.0% of the variance in stress levels among young-old adults. It is recommended that appropriate and safe living environments be provided for older adults to prevent falls and reduce stress.

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