CHRISTIAN ETHICAL VIRTUES AND FAMILY STRENGTH IN THE THAI CONTEXT: A QUALITATIVE CONCEPTUAL SYNTHESIS

Abstract

This research article aimed to 1) Analyze Christian ethical virtues related to family strength and 2) Analyze the meaning and components of family strength within the Thai social context. This study employed a qualitative research design. Data were collected through focus group discussions with 84 Thai Christians affiliated with the Church of Christ in Thailand, organized into seven groups. Participants were purposively selected from volunteers. The research instrument was a semi-structured interview guide, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The categorization of findings was informed by Olson’s family strength framework and Walsh’s family resilience framework, together with biblical principles. The findings revealed that: 1) Ten Christian ethical virtues were associated with family strength, namely self-sacrifice, honesty, forgiveness, prayer and reliance on God, loving communication, responsibility, reverence for God, patience and self-control, respect for one another’s rights and dignity, and encouragement, support, and hope. These virtues were classified into three categories: virtues concerning one’s relationship with God, virtues concerning interpersonal relationships, and virtues concerning personal character. Each category contributed to family strength in different ways. For example, prayer and reliance on God enhanced resilience during times of crisis; forgiveness and loving communication helped restore family relationships; while honesty, responsibility, and self-control supported role clarity, trust, and resource management within the family. and 2) Family strength consisted of seven components: stable internal relationships, clear roles and structure, effective communication, self- and resource management, resilience and adaptability, social capital, and shared beliefs and religious values. The findings suggest that Christian ethical virtues function as internal mechanisms that sustain, restore, and strengthen family life. Future research should extend the investigation to more diverse Christian family contexts, such as single-parent families and families experiencing conflict, in order to further examine the applicability of these virtues as mechanisms of healing and resilience.