State of happiness of single women aged 35 and above

บทคัดย่อ

Objective To study the perceived meaning of state of happiness according to single women age 35 and above and its relative factors.

Materials and methods Key informants were 12 single women age 35 and above in Bangkok area. Data were collected through in-depth interview, then analyzed with the qualitative research method.

Results State of happiness of single women age 35 and above in this research can be divided into 3 themes; First theme was state of happiness according to single women’s perception.
There were 5 types; 1) acceptance and contentment 2) tranquility 3) esteem 4) indifference 5) joy. Second theme was results of state of happiness, classifi ed into effected on oneself and effected
on others. Last theme was related factors of state of happiness of single women categorized into 2 subthemes which were supporting factors and obstacles.

Conclusion Single women defi ned state of happiness as having positive emotions which effected to both oneself and surrounding people. To live happily in the single state, there were both
supporting factors and many obstacles to overcome. Yet, these single women were happy in their lives like others, not as unfavorable as had been perceived and stigmatized