Factors Related to Well-being of the Elderly in Rural Thailand

Niwat  Songsin; Prisna  Pianjing; Kanokporn  Somporn

Niwat Songsin Department of Community Public Health, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand
Prisna Pianjing Department of Community Public Health, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand
Kanokporn Somporn Department of Community Public Health, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand

Keywords: Well-being, Elderly, Rural Thailand

Abstract

This study was a cross- sectional descriptive study aimed at examining factors associated with the well- being of older adults in Thai communities. The sample consisted of 403 older adults aged 60 years and above residing in Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed with descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation coefficient. The results indicated that the overall well-being of older adults was high (M = 4.01, SD = 0.68). Correlation analysis of age, income, chronic diseases, and leisure time for engaging in activities with well - being showed that age was positively associated with well - being ( r = 0. 430, p < 0. 001) , income was positively associated with well- being ( r = 0. 319, p < 0. 001), and leisure time for engaging in activities had a strong positive association with well- being ( r = 0. 636, p < 0. 001) . In contrast, chronic diseases were not significantly related to the well - being of older adults at the 0 . 05 significance level . These findings suggest that social engagement, participation in leisure activities, and adequate income are key contributors to maintaining well-being among older adults.