A conceptual structure of resilience among Thai elderly

Abstract

The study aimed to develop a conceptual structure of resilience among Thai elderly. A literature review and qualitative approach were adopted as its methodology. Based on Grotberg (1995, 2003), the three sources of resilience, “I AM”, “I HAVE”, and “I CAN” were used as the initial concept. To specify the elderly resilience, theories and research models related to elderly resilience from extant literatures were integrated to the conceptual structure.  In-depth - interview and focus group discussion among 14 resilient Thai elderly were conducted to develop the specific conceptual structure of Thai elderly resilience. Based on those three sources of resilience, the results revealed 18 components contributing to the conceptual structure of resilience specifically to Thai elderly. The newly developed conceptual structure can serve as a framework for future research attempting to develop a measure or program aiming at the resilience among Thai elderly.