Experiences of Thai Rural Women Sustaining Self-Care in Midlife: A Phenomenological Study
Keywords:
Middle-age, Nursing, Phenomenology, Sufficiency economy philosophy, Sustaining self-care, Women’s healthAbstract
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.
References
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43. Singhathanasarn P. Factors affecting the community economic development in area Mae-Wong Tambon, MaeWong District, Nakhon Sawan Province. Ph.D. in Social Sciences Journal. 2017 7(1): 57-69 [in Thai].
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45. Kittayarak K. Building society of lawfulness starts from ourselves first. Thailand Institute of Justice’s Newsletter. 2015 1: 10-11 [in Thai].
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49. Ubonsri B, Pannun A. A study of apply sufficiency economy to lifestyles and use of resources at community levels. Procedia Environ Sci. 2013 17: 976-83.
50. Kansuntisukmongkol K. Philosophy of sufficiency economy for community-based adaptation to climate change: Lessons learned from Thai case studies. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 2017 38(1), 56-61 [in Thai].
51. Duangchan J, Taewchanthuk S, Suksamran A. Outcomes and sustainability of community participation in elderly health promotion. Journal of Thai Interdisciplinary Research 2016 11(3): 54-61 [in Thai].
52. Larsen PD, Lubkin IM. Lubkin’s chronic illness: Impact and intervention. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett; 2016.
2. Lachman ME. Development in midlife. Annu Rev Psychol. 2004 55(1): 305-31.
3. Arpanantikul M. Women’s perspectives on home-based care for family members with chronic illness: An interpretive phenomenology study. Nurs Health Sci. 2018 20(4): 494-501.
4. Oláh LS, Richter R, Kotowska IE. The new roles of men and women and implications for families and societies. Families and societies: Working paper series. Stockholm: Stockholm University; 2014.
5. Sumra MK, Schillaci MA. Stress and the multiple-role woman: Taking a closer look at the “superwoman.” PLoS ONE. 2015 10(3): e0120952. doi:10.1371/journal. pone.0120952
6. Katonyoo C. Application of self-efficacy theory and the transtheoretical model to exercise programme for menopausal women in Chiangmai Province [dissertation]. Bangkok: Mahidol University; 2004.
7. Laosupap K, Sta C, Laopaiboon M. Factors affecting physical activity of rural Thai midlife women. J Med Assoc Thai. 2008 91(8): 1269-75.
8. Nattinee J, Kosulwat V, Rojroongwasinkul N, Boonpraderm A, Haddock CK, Poston WSC. Risk factors for overweight and obesity among Thai adults: Results of the National Thai Food Consumption Survey. Nutrients 2010 2(1): 60-74.
9. Kelly S, Martin S, Kuhn I, Cowan A, Brayne C, Lafortune L. Barriers and facilitators to the uptake and maintenance of healthy behaviors by people at mid-life: A rapid systematic review. PLoS ONE. 2016 11(1), e0145074. doi:10.1371/journal. pone.0145074
10. Sabia S, Singh-Manoux A, Hagger-Johnson G, Cambois E, Brunner EJ, Kivimaki M. Influence of individual and combined healthy behaviors on successful aging. CMAJ. 2012 184(18): 1985-1992. doi:10.1503/cmaj.121080
11. National Economics and Social Development Board. The 9th National Economic and Social Development Plan B.E. 2545–2549 (2002–2006). Bangkok: Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board; 2002 [in Thai].
12. National Economics and Social Development Board. The 10th National Economic and Social Development Plan B.E. 2550–2554 (2007–2011). Bangkok: Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board;2007 [in Thai].
13. Economic Theoretical Framework of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy Development Group. Development of economic theoretical framework of sufficiency economy philosophy. Bangkok: Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board; 2003 [in Thai].
14. Arpanantikul M, Phuphaibul R, Khuwatsumrit K. Sufficient health as perceived by Thai villagers: A qualitative study. Nurs Health Sci. 2017 19: 191-7.
15. Godfrey CM, Harrison MB, Lysaght R, Lamb M, Graham ID, Oakley P. The experience of self-care: A systematic review. JBI Library of Systemic Reviews. 2010 8(34):1351-1460.
16. Arpanantikul M. Sufficient health. TJNC. 2018 33(2):5-14 [in Thai].
17. Ryan A, Wilson S, Taylor A, Greenfield S. Factors associated with self-care activities among adults in the United Kingdom: A systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2009 9: 96. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-9-96
18. Hongsila O, Arpanantikul A, Malathum P. Effects of a self-care promoting program on knowledge, self-care behaviors and blood pressure in persons with essential hypertension. TJNC. 2018 33(2): 110-30 [in Thai].
19. United Nations. The sustainable development goals report 2018. New York, NY: United Nations Publications; 2018.
20. WHO. Self care for health: A handbook for community health worker & volunteers. India: World Health Organization; 2013.
21. Orem D. Nursing: Concepts of practice. 6th ed. St Louis,MO: Mosby; 2001.
22. Webber D, Guo Z, Mann S. Self-care in health: We can define it, but should we also measure it? SelfCare. 2013 4(5): 101-6.
23. Ghaljaei F, Rezaee N, Salar A. Identifying self-care behaviors in middle-aged women: A qualitative study. Electron Physician. 2017 9(11): 5800-5.
24. Riegel B. A middle-range theory of self-care of chronic illness. ANS Adv Nurs Sci. 2012 35(3): 194–204.
25. Gonzalez JS, Safren SA, Cagliero E. Depression, self-care, and medication adherence in type 2 diabetes. American Diabetes Association. 2007 30(9): 2222–7.
26. National Statistical Office. Thai population statistics. Nonthaburi: National Statistical Office; 2019.
27. Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University. Thai population 2019. Mahidol Population Gazette 2019 28: 1-2.
28. Yommana S. Middle-aged: Preparing for quality aging society within the next 10-20 years. Thai Human Resource Research Journal. 2008 3(1): 20-30 [in Thai].
29. Pattrapakdikul U, Arphornthip A, Thamsuwan A. Factors related with self preparation for aging of personnel in Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University. Journal of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. 2011 12(1):21-31 [in Thai].
30. Arpanantikul M, Pratoomwan, A. Clinical learning experiences of second-year Thai nursing students: A phenomenological study. Pacific Rim Int J of Nurs Res. 2017 21(2): 121-34.
31. WHO. Health and ageing: A discussion paper. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2001.
32. van Manen M. Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive pedagogy. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press; 1990.
33. Koch T. Interpretive approaches in nursing research: The influence of Husserl and Heidegger. J Adv Nurs. 1995 21(5): 827-36.
34. Lopez KA, Willis DG. Descriptive versus interpretive phenomenology: Their contributions to nursing knowledge. Qual Health Res. 2004 14: 726–35.
35. Neubauer BE, Witkop CT, Varpio L. How phenomenology can help us learn from the expeiences of others. Perspect Med Educ. 2019 8: 90-7.
36. Lincoln YS, Guba EG. Naturalistic inquiry. Newbury Park, CA: Sage; 1985.
37. Benner P. Interpretive phenomenology: Embodiment, caring, and ethics in health and illness. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 1994.
38. Shilts MK, Horowitz M, Townsend MS. Goal setting as a strategy for dietary and physical activity behavior change: A review of the literature. AJHP. 2004 19: 81–93.
39. Nelis SM, Thom JM, Jones IR, Hindle JV, Clare L. Goalsetting to promote a healthier lifestyle in later life: Qualitative evaluation of the AgeWell trial. Clin Gerontol. 2018 41(4): 335-45.
40. Jepson R, Harris FM., Bowes A, Robertson R, Avan G, Sheikh A. Physical activity in south Asians: An in-depth qualitative study to explore motivations and facilitators. PLoS ONE. 2012 7(10): e45333. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045333 (Page 1-8)
41. Bhuyan KK. Health promotion through self-care and community participation: Elements of a proposed programme in the developing countries. BMC Public Health. 2004 4: 11.
42. Piriyapaiboon P. The study of family self-care in north eastern. Nonthaburi: Primary Health Care Division, Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health; 2016 [in Thai].
43. Singhathanasarn P. Factors affecting the community economic development in area Mae-Wong Tambon, MaeWong District, Nakhon Sawan Province. Ph.D. in Social Sciences Journal. 2017 7(1): 57-69 [in Thai].
44. Nakagasien, P. Ottawa charter: The role of the nurses in health promotion. J Nurs Sci 2015 33(4): 6-14 [in Thai].
45. Kittayarak K. Building society of lawfulness starts from ourselves first. Thailand Institute of Justice’s Newsletter. 2015 1: 10-11 [in Thai].
46. Alftberg A, Hansson K. Introduction: Self-care translated into practice. Culture Unbound 2012 4: 415-24.
47. STP (Sustainability and Transformation Partnership) Leadership Board. Strategic plan: Prevention, person and community centred approaches, what matters to you. UK: The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Health and Care Sustainability and Transformation Partnership; 2018.
48. Parsons LC. Never underestimate the importance of networking: An imperative process for career success! SCI Nursing (Spinal Cord Injury). 2003 20(1): 45-7.
49. Ubonsri B, Pannun A. A study of apply sufficiency economy to lifestyles and use of resources at community levels. Procedia Environ Sci. 2013 17: 976-83.
50. Kansuntisukmongkol K. Philosophy of sufficiency economy for community-based adaptation to climate change: Lessons learned from Thai case studies. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 2017 38(1), 56-61 [in Thai].
51. Duangchan J, Taewchanthuk S, Suksamran A. Outcomes and sustainability of community participation in elderly health promotion. Journal of Thai Interdisciplinary Research 2016 11(3): 54-61 [in Thai].
52. Larsen PD, Lubkin IM. Lubkin’s chronic illness: Impact and intervention. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett; 2016.
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2020-01-02
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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 Dec. 19];24(1):140-54. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/PRIJNR/article/view/184284
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