Abstract:
The aim of this research study is to determine the prevalence of mental health problem and factors associated with mental health problems of the elderly at Ban Bang Khae Social Welfare Development Center for Older Persons. Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted and ninety-nine subjects who stay in Ban Bang Khae Social Welfare Development Center for Older Persons were recruited during August 2010 to October 2010. The instruments consisted of demographic data questionnaires, Thai-General Health Questionnaire 28 and The Self-Esteem scale. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Fishers Exact test, Multiple Logistic Regression and Pearsons Correlation Coefficient were used for data analysis
About 67.7% of the samples were female. Their mean age was 77.41± 7.32 years ; their duration of stay at the center less than 5 years was 64.6%. The research findings were as follows: 1) 22% of the sample had mental health problem; 2) factors significantly associated with mental health were age more than 70 years, graduated below bachelor degree, having health problem, having no visitor, very low to medium level of satisfaction with Ban Bangkhae, low or medium level of self-esteem(p < 0.05); 3) self-esteem was significantly correlated to Spiritual Well-Being in positive direction (r=0.599) 4) The Thai-GHQ scores were significantly correlated to Spiritual Well-Being and self-esteem in negative direction (r= - 0.437, r= - 0.320) at p < 0.01
Twenty-two percent of older persons in Ban Bang Khae Social Welfare Development Center had mental health problems. Finding the factors associated with mental health problem, realizing to help and concern about psycho-social factors are important in the care of mental health of the elderly.