FAMILY STRENGTHS IN THAICONTEXT: CHARACTERISTICS OF FAMILY STRENGTHS, FACTORS AND WAYS OF PROMOTING LIFELONG LEARNING

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze characteristics related to family strengths in Thai context and to analyze factorsand ways of lifelong learning in order to enhance family strengths in Thai context. In this qualitative research, there were 2 processes in the research methodology1) the 25 data collected from research articles, journals, books, and online-offline media were analyzed 2) the multiple-case study, fifteen Thai families were interviewed in-depth. The data were analyzed to identify the characteristics of family strengths, and to analyze factorsand ways of lifelong learning in order to enhance family strengths in Thai context by which they had become strong families. There were 3 findings conducted in this study 1) strong families had 7 characteristics of family strengths: good sense of relationship, roles, commitment, effective communication, spiritual well-being and affirmation-support for each other, responsibilities andability to support their own family, adaptation to problems and crisis effectively 2) strong families had 7 factors of lifelong learning in the family: safe habitats and environment, lifestyle, sense of membership in the family, family economics, family health, positive aspect, values, and spiritual well-being 3) strong family had 7 ways to practice in the family to become strong:sharing times together and sharing ethical values, being good role model, being openness to change, learning from media, experiences, situations and case-study. Future research related to family strengths will be expanded to a process oflifelong learning development to enhance Family strengths in Thai context.