Development of an Empowerment Model to Promote Quality of Life among Older Adults in Senior Schools, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

     This participatory action research aimed to 1) examine the baseline information and existing empowerment practices for promoting quality of life among older adults attending senior schools in Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani Province; and 2) develop an empowerment model to promote their quality of life.The study was conducted from October 2024 to September 2025.The participants and informants included 186 older adults from 12 subdistricts, 35 key informants who participated in in-depth interviews, seven experts who evaluated the model, and 30 older adults who participated in the model trial.Participants were pursued pursuantly selected according to the inclusion criteria.Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a multi-case, multi-site approach.The research instruments consisted of a questionnaire, an in-depth interview guide, a model appropriateness assessment form, a knowledge test, a quality-of-life questionnaire, and a satisfaction assessment form.Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and a paired-samples t-test.

     The findings showed that After participating in the UBON Model, the older adults demonstrated significantly higher knowledge and skill scores.The mean posttest score (= 13.14) was higher than the mean pretest score (= 10.72), with statistical significance at the.05 level. Their quality-of-life scores also increased significantly to the.05 level.Overall satisfaction with the UBON Model was high (= 4.35, SD = 0.41).