In the rural villages of Thailand, rich social support networks exist that bond the community members to help each other. This study explored the barriers and facilitators of living with schizophrenia in Thai villages. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with individuals with schizophrenia, family members, and significant others. Content analysis of transcripts involved examining the data, recording observations, data reduction, and coding themes. Four main themes emerged from the narratives: (i) keep doing day-to-day activities as a way of life; (ii) support sustains day-to-day living; (iii) controlling medication side effects maintains daily living; and (iv) managing self maintains daily living. Self-regulation and social support are keys to moving from dependence to a normative life goal in rural communities. The patterns of living in the rural communities provide a strong social network as people with schizophrenia learn to lead successful lives. Using supportive families and community members as resources is an alternative and effective way of providing supportive care.

No abstract

No abstract

Despite the unique cultural characteristics of psychiatric nurses in Hong Kong and Thailand little has been written about them or their caring practices. This study set out to examine the caring practices and demographic features of nurses working in these two countries where the development of the nursing education system has distinct similarities, yet where culture, career paths and qualifications differ. The Caring Attributes Questionnaire (CAQ), previously used in general nursing samples, was modified and validated for the study and administered to 275 and 227 psychiatric nurses in Hong Kong and Thailand, respectively. The results showed that more of the Hong Kong nurses were educated at the degree level and they tended to be younger, while both had around the same number of years of experience. The CAQ scores increase significantly with position, age and years of experience in the Hong Kong sample yet not for qualifications, while there were no significant differences detected in the Thai sample. The Thai sample had significantly lower CAQ scores and the results suggest that neither education nor experience modify these qualities of a psychiatric nurse, and it may be that nurses are still learning "on the job" rather than in the school. These findings are discussed in the light of findings from other international studies and recommendations for future studies are made.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the meaning of acceptance (Thum-jai) as a culturally embedded coping strategy in the lives of Thai people who have experienced adversity that caused suffering. Thematic analysis was used to examine the responses of 47 participants to written, open-ended questions or face-to-face interviews. The EQUATOR's COREQ checklist for qualitative research was followed. Participants came from diverse religious' traditions and geographic regions throughout Thailand. Findings revealed seven themes: circumstance and emotion; thought and action; time, experience, and effort; social and moral support; religious and spiritual ethos; acceptance and hope; and survive and thrive. The adverse circumstance is central to the concept of acceptance. Before acceptance, there is often hope; yet Thai people reach an existential point whether to accept the reality of the situation or continue in distress. Purposeful approaches to deal with the event flow from the cultural contexts of spirituality and social support. Drawing upon psychological strength, Thai people undertake purposive thought and action to facilitate redirecting their lives for better mental health. Thum-jai brings release and peace of mind. Clinicians may find that people experiencing adverse life events are best served by nondirective approaches. Acceptance and change in thoughts and behaviours may come from meditation and therapeutic mindfulness practices that allow those in Western and non-Western cultures to use their own values, expressions, and societal expectations to cope with suffering and formulate effective decisions.