THE PROCESS OF ENHANCING SELF-ESTEEM AMONG THE ELDERRLY IN WANG SALA SUBDISTRICT, KANCHANABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) Analyze the process of self-worth enhancement of the elderly, 2) Develop activities for self-worth enhancement of the elderly, and 3) Convey the process of self-worth enhancement of the elderly in Wangsala Subdistrict, Kanchanaburi Province. This was a participatory action research using activities as driving forces, group discussions, and in-depth interviews. The research results found that 1) The process of self-worth enhancement of the elderly began with reminiscing about past values, integrating with setting current life goals, and discovering new meanings of life in transitional age.
2) Design three prototype activities: 2.1) "A Hundred Stories, a Hundred Values, Inspiring Elderly People", 2.2) “Step gracefully, a program to prepare for menopause”, and 2.3) "Happy heart, a path to mental training in the elderly lifestyle". All activities were designed to emphasize connections with the participants’ real lives in terms of body, emotion, relationship, and spirit. They were able to clearly motivate the elderly to review, accept, and change themselves positively. and 3) Lessons learned from the entire process revealed that self-worth enhancement of the elderly did not come from external advice alone, but from "deeply listening to oneself" through activities that invited them to return to the present and accept their vulnerability. and discovering values that do not depend on previous social roles. This can be summarized into a prototype knowledge form called the "SANTI Model", which consists of 5 main components: S (Self-reflection), reflecting on oneself with mindfulness; A (Acceptance), accepting one's own fragility with grace; N (Nurturing), taking care of the mind with activities linked to real life; T (Transformation), changing one's perspective and role within oneself; I (Integration), integrating new values into living in society with dignity.