การพัฒนาและประเมินประสิทธิผลของโปรแกรมการดูแลสุขภาพจิตและสุขภาพจิตวิญญาณสำหรับผู้สูงอายุ

Phisit Somngam; Napaporn Aeamla-Or*; Saengduean Phromkaewngam; Neeranuch Wongcharoen; Kiatisak Ongkulna; Kunyakorn Rubngan; Orapin Buangam

Authors

Phisit Somngam Amphoe Chun District Health Office, Phayao
Napaporn Aeamla-Or* School of Nursing, Phayao University
Saengduean Phromkaewngam School of Nursing, University of Phayao
Neeranuch Wongcharoen School of Nursing, University of Phayao
Kiatisak Ongkulna School of Nursing, University of Phayao
Kunyakorn Rubngan School of Nursing, University of Phayao
Orapin Buangam School of Nursing, University of Phayao

Keywords:

Mental health and spiritual health cares program, Elderly, Mental health, Spiritual health

Abstract

Promoting mental health and spiritual health in older persons can assist them in achieving psychological well-being, enhancing self-esteem, and living meaningful lives. This research and development study aimed to: (1) explore perceptions, problems, and needs related to mental and spiritual health among older persons; (2) develop a mental health and spiritual health care program for older persons; and (3) examine the effects of the program on depression and spiritual well-being among older persons in Chun District, Phayao Province. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase I involved a situational analysis and program development using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with older persons, caregivers, village health volunteers, and healthcare personnel. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Phase II employed a quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pretest–posttest design. A total of 32 older persons were recruited and assigned to either an experimental group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 16). The experimental group participated in the mental health and spiritual health cares program for four weekly sessions, each lasting 120 minutes, while the control group received routine care. Research instruments included the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of .91 and .88, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Mixed Analysis of Variance (Mixed ANOVA). The findings from phase I indicated that older persons emphasized inner peace, social support, meaning of life, spiritual connectedness, and religious practices as important dimensions of mental and spiritual well-being. These findings served as the foundation for program development. In Phase II, a significant interaction effect between group and time was found for spiritual well-being scores (F(1,30)=19.484, p<.001, η²p=.394) indicating that the program effectively enhanced spiritual well-being among the participants. However, no significant interaction effect was observed for depression scores (F(1,30) = 0.001, p = .981). Thus, this program may serve as an alternative approach for healthcare providers in providing mental health and spiritual health care for older persons.

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