FACTORS PREDICTING HAPPINESS AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC DISEASES IN THE COMMUNITY, SUPHANBURI PROVINCE.

Abstract

This research was mixed model of quantitative and qualitative research. This purpose of this study was a predictive correlation study targeting to determine the predictive factors of happiness among chronic illness diseases (Diabetes Mellitus Type II and Hypertension) elderly people in Suphanburi province. The happiness concept of Argyle and Martin (1991) was used as a framework of this study. Subjects were 200 community members aged between 60 and 79 years old and elderly people living in Suphanburi province that were chosen by multi-stage sampling. Health perception assessment, self-esteem assessment, social support assessment, and The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire were used as tools, which OHQ was used among the others for data collection. Percentage, mean, standard deviation, correlation and multiple regressions were used for data analysis. The qualitative data were collected by interviewing; using semi-structured interview questionaires to content analysis.

                The results indicated that the elderly people perceived their happiness as moderate  (M=3.92, SD=0.46). Social support, self-esteem and self-care ability showed a correlation to happiness  (r=.771, .730,  .681 respectively, p <.01). As well, the results showed that social support , self-esteem and self-care ability  together could predict happiness with 67 % (R² = .673, p <.01).