Effects of building self-worth together with empowerment in preventing depression among the elderly in Pangmapha Subdistrict, Pangmapha District, Mae Hong Son Province

Abstract

     The purpose of this quasi-experimental research was to study the effects of self-esteem building combined with empowerment on the prevention of depression among the elderly in Pangmapha Subdistrict, Pangmapha District, Mae Hong Son Province. The sample group was divided into two groups, with 30 people in each group, resulting in a total of 60 participants. The comparison group consisted of elderly individuals in Na Pu Pom subdistrict, Pangmapha District, Mae Hong Son Province. The experimental group received the program for a period of 12 weeks, while the comparison group received normal care. Data were collected using questionnaires administered before and after the experiment. Data analysis was conducted between May 10, 2023, and August 10, 2023, using descriptive statistics, including percentages, means, standard deviations, medians, and 25^th and 75^th percentiles. The difference in mean scores of variables within the group was compared using the paired t-test, while the difference in mean scores among the groups was analyzed using the independent t-test. The significance level was set at 0.05.

     The study found that after the experiment, the experimental group exhibited higher mean scores in knowledge about depression, perceived risk of depression, perceived severity of depression, perceived benefits in preventing depression, perceived barriers to preventing depression, social support for depression prevention, and anti-depressive behaviors compared to before the experiment and the comparison group, with statistical significance at the 0.05 level. Pangmapha District, Mae Hong Son Province achieved the expected results as per the objectives set.