Model for Monitoring and Caring for People with Depression of the Village Health Volunteer Network in Wang Wiset District, Trang Province

Abstract

This survey research aimed to develop a family therapy model for monitoring and caring for individuals with depression through a network of health volunteers and to evaluate the effectiveness of this model in Wang Wiset District, Trang Province. The sample consisted of 227 village health volunteers, 14 public health officers, and 54 family representatives of depressed patients, selected through purposive sampling. The data collection tools included: 1) a knowledge questionnaire for health volunteers (reliability coefficient .84), 2) a behavior questionnaire for monitoring and caring for depressed patients (reliability coefficient .86), 3) a satisfaction questionnaire for health volunteers (reliability coefficient  .73), and   4) a satisfaction questionnaire for family members of depressed patients (reliability coefficient  .87). Statistical analysis methods used were means, standard deviations, and t-tests.

The results showed that: 1) The family therapy model consisted of four activities:  (1) emotional support, (2) evaluative support, (3) informational support, and (4) instrumental and social interaction support. 2) The effectiveness of the family therapy model indicated that, after implementation, the following changes occurred. The knowledge of health volunteers regarding the monitoring and care of depressed patients significantly increased at the .01 level. The behavior of health volunteers in monitoring and caring for depressed patients significantly increased at the .01 level. The satisfaction of health volunteers was high and significantly increased at the .01 level. The satisfaction of families of depressed patients regarding the monitoring and care was also high.