Life’s Assets and Quality of Life of Thai Junior High School Adolescent, Songkhla Province
Main Article Content
Abstract
This descriptive research aimed to study the life assets and quality of life of Thai junior high school adolescents in Songkhla province. The sample of 629 Thai junior high school adolescents was randomly selected by probability sampling without replacement from 20 general schools, 20 mixed general and religious schools, and 10 private schools. The research instruments included personal data, Life’s asset questionnaire, and WHOQOL – BREF – THAI. The data were analyzed by using analysis of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation.
The results revealed that the mean of ages was 14.10 years. 77.42 % were Buddhist, 61.21 % lived with parents, 71.70 % of their homes were located in the rural areas, and 47.60 % studied in private schools. The average GPA of 56 % students in the last semester was 3.01-4.00. The highest risk behaviors amongst Thai junior high school adolescents were play computer game 67.70 % and ride motorcycle 66.70 %. The occasional risk behaviors were drug abuse 7.40 % and sexual intercourse 2.00 %. The total scores of life’s assets that Thai junior high school adolescents passed at the level of moderate was 3 items and failed was 1 item. The average scores of life’s assets list from high to low were family power 69.80 %, self-power 63.70 %, wisdom power 62.32 %, peer power 61.40 % and activity power 56.36 %. The scores of life’s assets of each items from 48 items passed in the level of moderate to good was 62.50 % and failed 37.50 %. The five lowest scores of life’s assets were three items from community power and two items from wisdom power. The total score of WHOQOL – BREF – THAI amongst junior high school adolescents was at the moderate level.
The suggestions and implications are for stakeholders including the school, family, and community. They should promote the power of community and wisdom power of Thai junior high school adolescents by encouraging them to display their talent, share their experience, and be altruistic. Through these activities, they will be able to gain self-immunity and confidence, increase life’s assets and quality, and decrease risky behavior.