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

Abstract

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.