ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN BUDDHIST PRACTICES AND MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION IN THAI LATE ADOLESCENTS: A NATIONAL SURVEY DATA

Abstract

Background and Objective: Despite existing evidence linking Buddhism and mental health, limited research has examined specific Buddhist practices together with demographic factors influencing mental health promotion among Thai late adolescents using empirical national data. This study aimed to examine demographic and Buddhist practice factors associated with mental health promotion among Thai late adolescents aged 17-20 years by using secondary data from
a national survey. The study sought to identify key demographic and Buddhist practice factors contributing to psychological well-being in this population.

Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and utilized secondary data from the 2018 National Survey on the Conditions of Society and Culture, conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) of Thailand. The total sample comprised 662 Thai late adolescents. Descriptive analysis was conducted to summarize demographic characteristics, while binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine demographic and Buddhist practice factors associated with mental health promotion among late adolescents. The variables included demographic factors, such as sex, age, education, marital status, and occupation, as well as Buddhist practices, including praying, offering food to monks, observing the Five Precepts, listening to sermons, meditation, and New Year prayers.

Main Results: The findings indicated that mental health promotion among Thai late adolescents was closely associated with the practical application of core Buddhist principles. Practicing according to religious principles emerged as one of the strongest predictors, highlighting how consistently applied Dhamma, integrating Buddhist teachings into daily decision-making and personal conduct, contributed to inner stability, emotional balance, and overall well-being. Participation in New Year religious rituals demonstrated a significant positive association, illustrating the role of communal Buddhist practices in fostering a sense of social connection, moral support, and shared purpose, which directly enhanced mental well-being. Interestingly, observing the Five precepts showed a slight negative association, suggesting a complex dynamic where strict moral adherence interacted with developmental challenges in late adolescence. The practice of using Buddhist teachings to solve life problems also showed a positive impact, underscoring the value of practical application of Dhamma in coping strategies and promoting resilience. While regular praying had a minor negative association, potentially reflecting its use as a coping mechanism during times of psychological stress overall, the results emphasized that core Buddhist practices, particularly applied Dhamma and participation in communal rituals, played a central role in supporting mental health among Thai late adolescents.

Involvement to Buddhadhamma: This research provided empirical evidence that Buddhist practices functioned as holistic and practical mechanisms for promoting mental well-being among Thai adolescents. The findings reflected the core orientation of Applied Buddhism, which moved beyond doctrinal understanding toward the integration of Dhamma principles, mindfulness (Sati), compassion (Karunā), and ethical conduct (Sīla) into everyday contexts such as education, family life, and community-based programs. In particular, practices such as Ānāpānasati (Mindfulness of Breathing) helped cultivate attentional stability, emotional regulation, and self-awareness, while the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya Aṭṭhaṅgika Magga) provided an ethical and cognitive framework for right understanding, right action, and balanced living. Together, these applied practices aligned with the Buddhist concept of Sukha (Well-being or Happiness) and contributed to moral development, psychological resilience, emotional balance, and sustainable mental health among the younger generation, fostering a deeper sense of purpose grounded in ethical conduct and spiritual growth.

Conclusions: The study underscored the vital role of Buddhist practices in fostering mental health promotion among Thai late adolescents. These practices not only enhanced individual well-being but also strengthened family and community harmony. Encouraging youth participation in Buddhist-based activities thus served as an effective pathway for building resilience, emotional balance, and holistic mental health in contemporary Thai society, while also nurturing moral values, self-discipline, and social responsibility that contributed to long-term personal growth and sustainable collective well-being.