Psychological Well-being and Perspectives on Mental Health Promoting Lifestyle among Elderly in the Center for Quality of Life Development, Yala City Municipality, Yala Province

Abstract

This mixed method research aimed to study the level of psychological well-being, and the perspectives on mental health promoting lifestyle among elderly in the center for quality of life development, Yala city municipality, Yala province. The study consisted in 2 parts including: 1) a survey of the level of psychological well-being among 182 elderly. And they were selected purposively. The research tool was a questionnaire regarding elderly psychological well–being. It included 32 items with the reliability of .78. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation; 2) a qualitative study of the perspectives on mental health promoting lifestyle among 10 elderly. Purposive sampling was applied. Data were collected by focus group, and analyzed using content analysis.                                                                                                                The results showed that the psychological well-being of the elderly in all dimensions was at a high level (M=4.04, SD=0.54). The highest level was in the dimension of self-acceptance (M=4.25, SD=0.54). The lowest level was in the dimension of autonomy (M=3.81, SD=0.65). The perspectives of elderly on mental health promoting lifestyle included 6 dimensions, namely: 1) Self-acceptance, 2) Positive relationships with others, 3) Autonomy, 4) Environmental mastery, 5) Goals of life and, 6) Personal growth. Health personnel should promote all dimensions of psychological well-being for elderly with concern of their belief, faith, and context.