Development of a Community-Based Participatory Happiness Promotion Model for Older Adults

A Case Study of Klantha Subdistrict, Buriram Province

Abstract

This study employed a community-based participatory action research approach combined with a program-development process, with the objective of developing a happiness promotion model for older adults in the community of Klantha Subdistrict, Mueang District, Buriram Province, through community and stakeholder participation. The research process consisted of three phases: (1) analysis of happiness, quality of life, and related contextual factors among older adults; (2) development of a happiness promotion model through community participation based on the PERMA model of positive psychology; and (3) implementation and evaluation of the model using a two-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design. The target groups included older adults in Klantha Subdistrict, health service network partners, and community leaders. The research instruments comprised the Thai Geriatric Mental Health Assessment–15, the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF Thai version, and a satisfaction questionnaire toward the model, with reliability coefficients of .93, .95, and .86, respectively, obtained from testing with the sample in this study. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

The results revealed that most older adults reported a level of happiness comparable to that of the general population (63.08%) and an overall quality of life at a moderate level (70.80%). The developed happiness promotion model consisted of a set of activities addressing five dimensions of happiness: physical well-being, psychological well-being, social well-being, intellectual well-being, and economic well-being. The experimental group demonstrated a significantly higher mean happiness score than the control group (t (40) = 5.76, p< .001). In addition, overall satisfaction with the implementation of the model was rated at the highest level (M = 4.58, SD = 0.56). In summary, the developed happiness model can effectively promote the happiness of the elderly. It should be used to enhance happiness and improve the quality of life for the elderly.