องค์ประกอบความสุขของผู้สูงอายุในชนบทภาคตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือ: พลวัตการเปลี่ยนแปลงทางสังคมในกระแสโลกาภิวัตน์

Abstract

Abstract

Changes in population’s ages in Thai society is now leading to aging society in the country in the 21st century. In the year of 2030, Thailand will have completely entered the aged society. In order to make effective the elderly development process, that is to let them live their lives with honor, dignity, and stability, and happiness among changes in social and family structures under practices of the aging society in this globalization, this study aims to study elements for the elder’s happiness in rural area of the northeastern region, under the dynamic of social changes in the globalization. The study is a qualitative research having the unit of analysis both of individual and community levels. Data is collected from the in-depth interview with 18 elders, covering all age ranges, living in rural areas. The studies area is named O-lo village in PhuKiew district, Chaiyaphum province where contains high rates of the elders in the northeast. The data was collected during June to October 2017 using interview guide as a tool, and is analyzed with content analysis. The result reveals that the elders in O-lo community are happy with their family conditions. Their happiness consists of 4 elements as the followings. The first element is family meaning there are families or relatives to take care of. The elder always ask in order to follow up for their offspring’s well-being and give moral support to them. The second element is regarding their health. The elders are in good health and able to take care of themselves. They can also help out their families with housework. This is also the result of their convenient accessibility to medical treatment. The third element is economic aspect. The elders have their occupations and incomes from various sources including their work, money given from their children, and the welfare elder allowances. The last element is social aspect. They feel safety in their lives and properties. Moreover, they join social activities organized by the community in order to relieve themselves from stress, make merit in temples, and participate in any activities enhancing value of the elders.

Keywords:  Elders, Elements of Happiness, Globalization, Rural Areas