A Study of the Community Participation Model in Empowering Caregivers of Children with Special Needs in Mental Health in Suphanburi Province
Keywords:
caregivers of children with special needs, mental health, empowermen, community participation modelAbstract
Introduction: Caregivers of children with special needs in the community frequently experience high levels of stress and a lack of mental health support. Despite the community's inherent potential to provide assistance, there remains a lack of a systematic framework for engagement.
Research objectives: This research aimed to study the problems and needs, develop a community participation model, and evaluate the model’s effectiveness in empowering the mental health of caregivers of children with special needs.
Research methodology: This research had applied a three-phase research and development approach, including: Phase 1: Contextual and needs study. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews with 30 network partners and content analysis to summarize key problem and need issues. Phase 2: Model development. Data from Phase 1 were used to draft a model and validated by five veterans. Phase 3: Effectiveness evaluation. The model was tested with 60 caregivers of children with special needs and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test.
Results: The findings revealed that caregivers’ attitudinal constraints included a lack of specialized caregiving knowledge and profound anxiety regarding the child's future. These challenges prompted a significant need for support in professional training, mental health resources, and self-care strategies, alongside proactive child development promotion. The developed model was evaluated for appropriateness at the highest level (M = 4.24, SD = .75). After the intervention, the caregivers' mental health empowerment scores increased significantly from a mean of 3.19 (SD = .24) to 4.01 (SD = .24) (p < .001).
Conclusions: The developed community participation model can effectively empower caregivers of children with special needs by providing knowledge, managing mental health conditions, and building network.
Implications: This model should be expanded and integrated into provincial mental health plans to ensure sustainability.
Downloads
References
National Statistical Office, UNICEF. Survey on disability in children aged 2-17 years: Results of the child disability survey 2017. Bangkok: National Statistical Office; 2017.
Special Education Center, Educational Region 5. Statistics of children with special needs. SuphanBuri: Special Education Center, Educational Region 5; 2022.
Photong P, Chansuvarn S, Khachat S, Sripho S. Parental stress in caregivers of children with special needs. Royal Thai Army Nursing Journal 2014;15(3):15–23. (in Thai)
Chalothorn P. Depression among parents of special needs children at a special education center. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 2021;35(2):74–84. (in Thai)
Goldberg D. The detection of psychiatric illness by questionnaire. London: Oxford University Press; 1972.
Yodkraisri J. Factors affecting quality of life in caregivers of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at child and adolescent psychiatric clinic, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health (QSNICH). Journal Psychiatric Association Thailand 2022;67(1):7-20. (in Thai)
Chansuvarn S, Khachat S, Photong P, Sanchalad S. The needs of autistics’ mother for helping support of children with autism. Journal of Public Health Nursing 2016;34(3):23-34. (in Thai)
Gibson CH. A concept analysis of empowerment. Journal of Advanced Nursing 1995;21(6):1201–7.
Sameenoi S, Wareewanich S, Patissena. Concepts and processes of empowerment in community nursing. Journal of the Ministry of Public Health Nursing 2021;31(2):27-34. (in Thai)
Wareewanich S, Phatisena T. Effect of empowerment and self-esteem promoting program among the elderly with depression in home for the aged. Journal of Nursing and Health Care 2020;38(2):111-8. (in Thai)
Teeraworrawach W. Relationship between coping patterns and family well-being of caregivers of child with cerebral palsy. Journal of Mental Health of Thailand 2019;27(3):145-58. (in Thai)
World Health Organization. Innovative care for chronic conditions: building blocks for action. Geneva: WHO; 2002.
Uanlum T, Phaengphomma N. Nursing care for autistic children with aggressive behavior. Mahasarakham Hospital Journal 2020;17(2):68-6. (in Thai)
Chaichanasang T, Thalakarm E, Launkaw M, Phuangsriken S, Posri A, Jantanarm W, et al. The development model for cerebral palsy caregivers. Regional Health Promotion Center 9 Journal 2022;16(3):957-68. (in Thai)
Junchom K, Sangsai Y, Polsavat B. Empowering family and community in end–of-life care: Important role of nurses. Journal of Health Science Boromarajonani College of Nursing Sanpasithiprasong 2021;5(2):12-24. (in Thai)
Neuman WL. Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Boston: Allyn and Bacon; 1991.
Inhongsa A, Chaisa B, Akakul T. Factors affecting caring behaviors of caregivers to children with special needs in Amnatcharoen Province. UBRU Journal for Public Health Research 2016;5(1):29-40. (in Thai)
Tasod S, Keawmungmueang P. Stress reduction in caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder: Nursing roles. Journal of Nursing Health Research 2023;24(2):112-24. (in Thai)
Wallerstein N. What is the evidence on effectiveness of empowerment to improve health? Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2006.
Zimmerman MA. Psychological empowerment: Issues and illustrations. American Journal of Community Psychology 1995;23(5):581–99.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 ่Journal of Health and Nursing Research (Journal of Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Bangkok)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Article published Is the copyright of the Journal of Health and Nursing Research (Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Bangkok) Cannot be republished in other journals
