An analysis of the resilience process: The stimulus of mental strength and the role of community and family support amidst the civil violence in Thailand

Abstract

Civil violence has been occurring in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand for an extended period of time. Despite the disturbance, residents of those provinces seemed to maintain mental strength and well-being with happiness scores among the highest in the country. It is interesting to investigate the progression of resilience amidst the prevailing violence, the gaining of mental strength, and retaining happiness in the context of the prevailing family and community support. This study employs data from a probability sample survey conducted in 2016 and includes residents of the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. The structural equation model reveals resilience process that violence in the village appeared to stimulate mental strength directly and that family and community support also had significant and isolated positive impact on mental strength and level of happiness among the respondents. Social policies which are meant to restore well-being of people in the vulnerable community by way of enhancing the individual’s mental strength, the family’s role, and the community cohesion are finally discussed.