Stress and Factors Affecting Level of Stress among Buddhist Monks in Bangkok
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Abstract
Objective: To identify level of stress and the factors those influence level of stress among Buddhist monks in Bangkok.
Methods: This research is a cross sectional descriptive study. The data collected from 205 monks in Dusit and Nongchok district by using purposive sampling method. The instruments were composed of socio-demographic factors questionnaires and Suanprung Stress Test - 20 (SPST-20). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression.
Results: Exactly 70.7 percent of the sample disclosed low to moderate level of stress and 29.3 percent disclosed high to severe level. The statistically significant factors related to level of stress are age (p<0.001), year of ordination (p=0.026) and financial status (p=0.011). Monks aged between 20-40 years old had higher stress comparing to other age groups. Monks with year of ordination from 1 to 5 years were more stressful than monks with over 5 years ordination. And monks who had shortage of money had higher level of stress than monks who had adequate spending. Significant predictive factors of high to severe level of stress are monks age between 20 to 40 (OR adj = 3.52, 95% CI: 1.28-9.66, p = 0.015) conflict in the temple (OR adj = 3.55, 95% CI: 1.38-9.17, p = 0.009) and shortage of money (OR adj = 3.37, 95% CI: 1.40-8.12, p = 0.007).
Conclusion: To alleviate stress in monks, stress screening should be regularly used, especially among high risk groups, namely monks age between 20 to 40, have conflict in the temple, and have shortage of money. Nevertheless, direction of the solution should be design within the appropriate context and culture of the society.
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