Happiness of the elderly in elderly school, Tak Province

Abstract

This survey research aimed to study the level of happiness of the elderly in the elderly school; and to explore the perspectives influencing their happiness. The sample consisted of elderly participants from Muang Mae Pa Elderly School, Mae Sot District, Tak Province, comprising 127 participants for the quantitative study and 10 participants for the qualitative study. The research instruments were a questionnaire on elderly happiness and a semi-structured interview schedule on the perspectives influencing their happiness. The study was conducted between February and June 2020. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

Research findings indicated that the elderly’s overall happiness at the elderly school in Tak Province was at the highest level. Analyzing by dimension, the highest happiness levels were reported in terms of satisfaction in learning, self-understanding and self-esteem, interest in learning, and self-satisfaction. Conversely, the anxiety dimension was at the lowest level. The perspectives influencing happiness stemmed from: 1) Self-esteem (through sharing knowledge and achieving accomplishments); 2) A sense of self-worth (resulting in deep contentment); 3) Gratification (from participating in activities such as singing and dancing, leading to alertness and vitality); and 4) Friendship (through sharing and good relationships, signifying social acceptance and value).

Implications for practice: The findings serve as baseline data for stakeholders to support, promote, and arrange for manpower, equipment, and budgets for project management.