THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOLISTIC HEALTH OF TAI YAI ELDERLY IN WAT NIWASATHAN COMMUNITY, MAE AI SUBDISTRICT, MAE AI DISTRICT, CHIANG MAI PROVINCE THROUGH THE "KARN KAM SIN NON JONG" CULTURE

Abstract

This study aimed to: 1) examine the well-being of Tai Yai older adults in the Wat Niwasathan community, Mae Ai Subdistrict, Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province; 2) develop health-promoting activities based on the cultural practice of “Kan Kam Sin Non Chong”; and 3) transfer and evaluate activities for empowering the well-being of Tai Yai older adults. This study employed a qualitative participatory approach based on Participatory Action Research (PAR). A total of 44 key informants were purposively selected, including Tai Yai older adults, Buddhist monks, community leaders and ritual knowledge holders, village health volunteers, and family members. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and field notes, and were analyzed using content analysis and inductive synthesis.

The findings revealed that:

1) the well-being of Tai Yai older adults was interconnected across physical, mental, social, and wisdom/spiritual dimensions. Vulnerabilities were associated with chronic illnesses, social isolation, and declining social roles, while Buddhism, the temple, local wisdom, and the cultural practice of Kan Kam Sin Non Chong served as important resources for strengthening mental and wisdom/spiritual well-being; 2) the participatory development process resulted in a set of five activities entitled Chong Dee, Lee Mee Sook, integrating physical, mental, social, and wisdom/spiritual well-being into the community’s traditional practices of observing Buddhist precepts and religious activities; and 3) reflection and evaluation of the activities led to the development of the Bowon 4-Sook Model, comprising five forms of cultural capital, a three-stage process—Awaken, Adapt, and Embed—and four dimensions of well-being: Physical Well-being, Mental Well-being, Social Well-being, and Wisdom/Spiritual Well-being, with Kan Kam Sin Non Chong serving as the core that connects all components. The study demonstrates that health promotion for older adults in ethnic communities should be grounded in existing religious and cultural capital and community participation so that interventions are consistent with local ways of life and cultural identity.