A Meta-synthesis of Cultural Factors and Community-based Strategies for Fall Prevention among Thai Older Adults.
Keywords:
falls, older adults, qualitative meta-synthesis, cultural care, rebalancingAbstract
This study aimed to synthesize qualitative knowledge regarding the “Cultural Process of Caring and Rebalancing” related to fall prevention among older adults in Thai communities. The research employed the Ethnographic Meta-synthesis approach proposed by Noblit and Hare (1988). A total of 128 qualitative studies published between 2002 and 2025 were systematically reviewed, and 18 studies meeting the quality criteria of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP, 2018) were included for interpretive synthesis.
The findings revealed that falling is not merely a physical event but a cultural phenomenon reflecting faith, relationships, and the meaning of life among older adults. Six conceptual categories emerged: (1) cultural beliefs and values, (2) roles of family and community, (3) experiential learning, (4) participatory care strategies, (5) self-perception in aging, and (6) psychological resilience. These categories are interrelated as a Cultural Process of Caring and Rebalancing, leading to a “New Balance of Aging,” in which older adults live with dignity, peace, and self-worth.
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