Participation in self-care based on the sufficiency economy philosophy among midlife women in Thailand.

This study aimed to explore the process of participation in self-care based on the sufficiency economy philosophy among midlife women in Thailand. The study design used a participatory action research approach. The participants were 30 community-dwelling Thai midlife women (aged 35-60 years) who participated in developing self-care processes and exchanging information in a group. However, there were 20 women who were willing and available to participate an interview. Demographic data were collected. Two in-depth interviews were conducted with each participant, and observation notes were recorded. Data were analysed by using content analysis. The following six major themes emerged that described the participatory process in self-care: (a) Assessing health status and self-care practice; (b) Brainstorming, setting priorities for health problems and selecting problem-solving methods; (c) Performing selected self-care activities following the plan and using available community resources; (d) Sharing knowledge and experience in performing self-care; (e) Evaluating health outcomes after self-care and (f) Sustaining self-care by continuing to perform self-care and influencing others to perform self-care. In conclusion, the success of self-care based on the sufficiency economy philosophy among midlife women was determined by the women's participation in self-care activities. Midlife women with the intention to regularly perform self-care experienced good health outcomes.

A structural equation model of health-related quality of life among Thai men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To identify physiological, psychological and socioenvironmental factors that affect the health-related quality of life of Thai men living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The vast majority of Thai persons living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are men. BACKGROUND: Little is known about the health-related quality of life of Thai people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or about the physiological and psychosocial factors that most affect it. Applying a prevailing theoretical model of health-related quality of life, we explored how physiological, psychological and socioenvironmental factors simultaneously affect the health-related quality of life of Thai men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design was used, together with the STROBE checklist. METHODS: In this study, 290 Thai male outpatients at a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease specialist clinic near Bangkok were recruited using purposive sampling. The participants completed the Satisfaction With Life Scale, the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Short Form Health Survey Version 2, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Self-Efficacy Scale and the Social Support Questionnaire. A structural equation model was used to examine the relationships between the assessed variables. RESULTS: Biological function (FEV-1, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations), symptoms (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression), functional status, general health perceptions and individual characteristics (age and self-efficacy to control dyspnoea) accounted for 56.9% of the variance in health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression were the main factors with statistically significant direct and indirect effects on the health-related quality of life of the Thai men in this study. The effects of both symptoms included an indirect effect on health-related quality of life through functional status and general health perceptions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The study findings may help nurses to better understand factors affecting health-related quality of life among men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Preventing or minimising symptom exacerbations could be important in nursing practice. Cognitive-behavioural interventions addressing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptom management, depression screening and smoking cessation may improve health-related quality of life among Thai men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Women's perspectives on home-based care for family members with chronic illness: An Interpretive phenomenology study.

The number of people with chronic illness who need home-based care is increasing globally. Home-based care is socially constructed to be work carried out by women. However, little attention has been paid to the opinions of middle-aged women caring for family members with chronic illness at home. In this study, Thai women's perspectives on home-based care for family members with chronic illness using interpretive phenomenology were identified. Fifteen middle-aged women were interviewed twice, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four major themes emerged: (i) role obligation; (ii) social life change; (iii) doing good things; and (iv) lack of support. Important findings were that care was considered a woman's duty owing to cultural beliefs. Most participants sacrificed their own needs to care for others, as doing good things is considered an important Buddhist belief. Caring for others decreased women's social networks, but they cared more for their own health. Support with finances, information, workplaces, and care recipients should be provided to women with care responsibilities. These results can help nurses to better understand women's caring roles and the consequences of home-based care that influence woman's health.

"Sufficient health" as perceived by Thai villagers: A qualitative study.

Globalization has led to the rapid modernization of Thai villagers' traditional lifestyle, with significant consequential changes in health. The integration of the sufficiency economy philosophy with health - a concept known as "sufficient health" - can improve health and wellbeing; however, little is known of the actual meaning of "sufficient health." This qualitative study explored the meaning of sufficient health as perceived by Thai villagers. Data were collected from 122 villagers living in a rural Thai community and analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed five themes reflecting the meaning of sufficient health: being healthy and not having an illness, having regular health check-ups, performing self-care, living sufficiently, and avoiding risks. Understanding the meaning attributed to sufficient health can help nurses provide appropriate health care for villagers while retaining concern and respect for their cultural backgrounds. Importantly, providing opportunities to villagers to participate in health activities could help them recognize and sustain sufficient health.

Self-care process as experienced by middle-aged Thai women.

My purpose in this study was to explore the process of self-care actions in promoting health among middle-aged Thai women. Data were obtained from in-depth recorded interviews with 15 middle-aged Thai women living in Bangkok. Findings showed that the process of self-care actions for achieving health among middle-aged Thai women moved through a series of five stages: (1) perceiving health status, (2) developing awareness of the importance of one's own health, (3) finding motivation for self-care, (4) taking control for self-care, and (5) evaluating the consequences of self-care activities. I conclude that the process of self-care actions originated from women's internal demands and the formulation of self-care action is intertwined with women's values, beliefs, and way of life. Specific guidance about self-care and encouragement from nurses are meaningful for women to effectively perform self-care actions resulting in the promotion of long-term wellness in the later years of life.

Midlife experiences of Thai women.

BACKGROUND: Midlife is not a universal notion because the conception of midlife arises from specific historical and social conditions. This can be a challenging time for women; however, the study of Thai women in the middle years has received relatively little attention. AIM: This paper reports a study exploring the meaning of midlife to Thai women currently residing in Bangkok. METHOD: The integration of Heideggerian phenomenology and feminist theory guided data collection. Experiential understanding of midlife phenomena was obtained through interviewing 32 Thai women with diverse educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. Each description was analysed to identify themes pertinent to the individual midlife experience. Emergent themes were extracted from the similarities and differences across descriptions to depict the broad points of view of women's midlife experiences. FINDINGS: Five collective themes were identified: being stereotyped, transforming, being vulnerable to poor health, adapting, and thinking ahead. CONCLUSION: The findings reflected the fact that these women's midlife experiences were the product of the interrelationship of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Awareness of these interrelationships in mind could enrich understanding of midlife experience in women, guide family members and friends in supporting midlife women, including helping to uphold their dignity, and raise the consciousness of health planners and health care professionals for developing effective programmes and interventions to promote wellness for Thai midlife women. The findings could help nurses to build their practice on a significant philosophical foundation and increase their sensitivity with regard to holistic care for midlife women.