Mental health conditions and related factors in the elderly in Chang -Klang Subdistrict Chang Klang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

This study is a cross-sectional research aimed at investigating the level of mental health status and associated factors among the elderly, as well as comparing mental health conditions with personal demographic data of elderly individuals in Chang Klang Subdistrict, Chang Klang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The sample consisted of 196 elderly individuals aged 60-85 years, both male and female, residing in the service area of Khuan San Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital. The sample size was determined using Krejcie and Morgan’s table. The statistical methods used for data analysis included frequency (F), percentage, mean, and inferential statistical analysis to test hypotheses. One-Way ANOVA was applied to compare stress assessment scores among different personal factors. Additionally, the relationship between personal factors and depression assessment scores was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

The findings revealed that, over the past six months, the overall stress level among the elderly in Chang Klang Subdistrict, Chang Klang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, was predominantly at a mild level (57.41%), followed by a moderate level of stress (42.59%). Regarding depression levels in the past week, most elderly individuals exhibited early signs of depression and required initial counseling (83.80%). The analysis of the relationship between personal factors and stress levels among the elderly indicated that gender, income, income compared to monthly expenses, presence of other chronic diseases, living arrangements, and participation in social gatherings with neighbors were significantly associated with stress levels at the 0.05 significance level. Similarly, the relationship between personal factors and depression among the elderly showed that income, presence of other chronic diseases, and participation in social gatherings with neighbors were significantly associated with depression at the 0.05 significance level.