Psychological self-care of Muslim adolescents

Abstract

Objective To study psychological self-care of Muslim adolescents who have lost their family members due to unrest situation in three southernmost provinces of Thailand.

Materials and methods The sample consisted of 90 Muslim students with age of 12-19 years old who lost their family members and lived in Yala, Pattanee, and Narathiwas provinces. Stratifi ed sampling was used. Data were collected during December 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010 using two questionnaires: general information and the psychological self-care questionnaire that composed of 6 dimensions including development of self awareness, effectiveness of communication, time management, coping with problems, development and maintaining of social support system, and universal self care. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics.

Results There were 73.3% female, 55.7% age of 12-15 years old, 75.6% nuclear family and 70% had enough income. Subjects were allocated equally to junior and senior level and 58.9% also attended to religious school. They reported high level of overall score of psychological self-care and all sub- dimensions of which development of self-awareness had highest mean score and followed by physical self-care, time management, effectiveness of the communication, and developing and maintaining social support system, and coping with the problems, respectively.

Conclusion Muslim adolescents who lost their family members reported high level of overall score of psychological self-care and all sub-dimensions.