Life skills development pattern leading to quality of life of Bangkok elderly after retirement

Abstract

     The main objectives of this study were to investigate the predictive pattern of the quality of life regarding the socio-economic background and life skills of Bangkok elderly, and the development of a life skills pattern leading to quality of life. The sample consisted of 387 elderly after retirement from the government and private sectors, using simple random sampling and accidental sampling. Quantitative data and qualitative data were gathered through a questionnaire and interview technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, discriminant analysis, and content analysis. The results showed that the sampled elderly had graduated with a Bachelor degree more than any other education level (43.7%), average monthly income was THB 29,535.6, most respondents resided in their own home, and about three-fifths were government officials. As a whole, their quality of life was at a very good level. The nine aspects of their life skills ranged from the good to the very good level. The seven aspects at the very good level were: critical thinking, self awareness, empathy, self esteem, social responsibility, interpersonal relations and communications, and decision making and problem solving skills. The other two aspects at the good level were creative thinking and coping with emotion skill. Multiple regression analysis showed that life goal, family and social support, self esteem skill, social responsibility skill, and coping with emotion skill were the five factors influencing the quality of life of the elderly, and they were statistically significant. Discriminant analysis revealed that life goal, family and social support, education, self esteem skill, and income were the discriminating factors of the elderly’s quality of life. Both quantitative and qualitative results were synthesized into a presentation of a pattern of life skill development leading to quality of life. This pattern was developed by integrating life skill into Deacon and Firebaugh’s framework regarding family resource management.