Experiences of Thai Rural Women Sustaining Self-Care in Midlife: A Phenomenological Study

Authors

  • Manee Arpanantikul RN, PhD, Associate Professor, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.
  • Aporacha Lumdubwong RN, PhD, Lecturer, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.
  • Pennapa Unsanit RN, PhD, Lecturer, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.
  • Dolrat Rujiwatthanakorn RN, PhD, Lecturer, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.
  • Sarwitree Pornsinsiriruck RN, MSc, Lecturer, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.
  • Pacharin Boonrin RN, MSc, Lecturer, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.

Keywords:

Middle-age, Nursing, Phenomenology, Sufficiency economy philosophy, Sustaining self-care, Women’s health

Abstract

                  With having responsibility for many competing demands in work and homelife, middle aged women often do not have time or energy for important self-care. The purpose of this study was to investigate ways to sustain self-care from the experience of Thai middle-aged women living in the community. This study employed a hermeneutic phenomenological approach and the philosophy of the sufficiency economy to understand the experiences of 20 Thai middle-aged women living in a central agricultural community. Data collection were conducted between 2014 and 2015 through in-depth, recorded interviews, field notes, and participant observation. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and data were analyzed using hermeneutic analysis.

                The findings showed ways to sustaining self-care of Thai middle-aged women consisting of 7 themes: 1) having determination, 2) having a model, 3) developing a leader, 4) continuing to be involved with self-care activities, 5) setting up rules, 6) building self-care culture, and 7) developing a self-care group/network. The findings of this study suggest that in order to achieve self-care sustainability women should get to know themselves, have intention and belief, together with having power of community and support. Therefore, having self-care constantly will help prevent disease and promote healthy in women’s lives. Nurses can play an active role in motivating and supporting women to attain and maintain self-care behaviours which result in having better health and good quality of life.

Author Biographies

Pennapa Unsanit, RN, PhD, Lecturer, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.

 

 

Dolrat Rujiwatthanakorn, RN, PhD, Lecturer, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.

 

Sarwitree Pornsinsiriruck, RN, MSc, Lecturer, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.

 

Pacharin Boonrin, RN, MSc, Lecturer, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.

 

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Published

2020-01-02

How to Cite

1.
Arpanantikul M, Lumdubwong A, Unsanit P, Rujiwatthanakorn D, Pornsinsiriruck S, Boonrin P. Experiences of Thai Rural Women Sustaining Self-Care in Midlife: A Phenomenological Study. PRIJNR [Internet]. 2020 Jan. 2 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];24(1):140-54. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/PRIJNR/article/view/184284

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