Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify differences between the outcomes of the Thai Healthy Aging Instrument (HAI) and the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) in older Thai adults based on the types of living arrangements. Data were collected from the 139 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and older who had been participated in the elderly school. The findings of this study indicate that there were no statistically significant relationships between demographic characteristics between those who lived alone (n=30) and those living with others (n=109), except for marital status. The participants living alone were more likely to be widowers compared to those living with others (p < .05). Results of the Kruskal-Wallis H tests indicated that the different living arrangements had an impact on healthy aging, specifically on the Managing Stress Factor, but no impact on well-being among the participants. The participants living alone with a child nearby reported the lowest scores for the item “I am not worried without reason” while the participants living alone without a child nearby reported the lowest scores for the item “I consult someone when I have a problem” compared to the other types of living arrangements (p < .05). This study provided implications for stress management programs for those living alone to develop a non-kin social relationship or a confidant to receive adequacy of emotional support. The objective was to integrate the findings into existing community-based health promotion programs aimed to address the needs of a specific population per their living arrangements.
Presenters
Usar SuragarnDirector of International Relations, Faculty of Nursing, Rattana Bundit University, Pathum Thani, Thailand Glenn Pfaff
Lecturer, Simulation Instructor, Faculty of Nursing, Rattana Bundit University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Living Arrangements, Health Aging, Personal Well-being, Older Adults, Thailand
