Factors Affecting the Happiness Levels of Elderly People in the Elderly Club of Non-Mak Mun Subdistrict, Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province

Abstract

        The objectives of this study were to 1) assess the happiness level of the elderly, 2) social support for the elderly, 3) compare data on gender, marital status, education level, income, and healthcare entitlement with the happiness level of elderly people, and 4) the relationship between social support and the level of happiness among older adults. The conceptual framework was the applied social support theory of Pender. The study methodology was quantitative research. A population of 565 individuals was considered, and a sample size of 234 was determined based on Krejci and Morgan’s sampling framework, using systematic random sampling. The tool for the research was a questionnaire. The index of consistency was .918, and the reliability coefficient of the entire instrument was .872. Statistics used for the data analysis include percentage, mean and standard deviation, independent sample t-test, F-test (one-way ANOVA), and Pearson correlation coefficients.
        The results of the study found that 1) the overall average level of happiness among the elderly is at a high level, 2) the overall social support for the elderly has an average value at a high level, 3) gender, educational level, income, and healthcare entitlement do not differ significantly in terms of happiness level, while different marital statuses show a statistically significant difference in happiness level at the 0.05 level, and 4) overall social support for the elderly is positively correlated with their level of happiness, with statistical significance at the 0.05 level.
        Suggestions for relevant agencies to support and promote activities for the elderly in clubs will result in increased happiness among the elderly.