Publication: Religion and mental health among older adults in Thailand: a national survey study
Issued Date
2021-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
13619322
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85112542098
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Mental Health Review Journal. Vol.26, No.4 (2021), 380-391
Suggested Citation
Suriya Klangrit, David D. Perrodin, Yasotara Siripaprapakon, Fahad Riaz Choudhry, Thittayawadee Intaranggkul, Suthat Pratoomkaew, Khunthong Khemsiri, Kan Saengrung, Watchara Vachirayano Religion and mental health among older adults in Thailand: a national survey study. Mental Health Review Journal. Vol.26, No.4 (2021), 380-391. doi:10.1108/MHRJ-06-2020-0039 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/78660
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Title
Religion and mental health among older adults in Thailand: a national survey study
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to investigate the association between mental health and religion among Thailand’s elderly population. The role of religion and culture remains limited despite the significant number of devout followers of religions in Thailand. Thai cultural and religious contexts have a dominant and persuasive influence on the lives of Thai older adults. Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected in 2018 via face-to-face interaction using a structured questionnaire by the Thailand National Statistical Office. The sample consisted of 67,454 individuals, with 13,800 elderly Thai people aged 60 years or older selected for the study. Findings: The results showed logistic regression with the association between religious activities and mental health in the understudied context of Buddhist elderly in Thailand. The variables were significantly associated with mental health at a 95% confidence level. Originality/value: The model revealed that particular demographic and socioeconomic factors (age, education and marital status) were related to mental health for older adults. Regression analysis also revealed Buddhist religious activities (giving food to monks, mediation, monkhood, New Year praying, learning Dhamma for solving life’s problems, belief in Buddhism and practicing Buddhist principles) were significantly associated with the mental health of the older adult population in Thailand.