The Physical Health and Self-Esteem of the Grandmother Raising Grandchildren in Rural Areas of Thailand
Sutham Nanthamongkolchai PhD*, Pimsurang Taechaboonsermsak PhD*, Chokchai Munsawaengsub MD*, Arpaporn Powwattana PhD**
Affiliation : * Department of Family Health, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To study the physical health and self-esteem, including factors that influence the self-esteem of grandmothers
raising grandchildren in the rural areas of Northern Thailand.
Material and Method: A cross-sectional survey research was conducted among 400 grandmothers, aged 50-79 years, who
raised their grandchildren in the rural areas of Northern Thailand. Participants were selected by cluster sampling. Data were
collected through a structured interview from April to July, 2009 and analyzed by frequency, percentage, Pearson’s product
moment correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.
Results : 73.8% of grandmothers in the survey currently had health problems, 56.2% had a chronic disease of which
hypertension was the most common and yet 44.5% displayed high self-esteem. The factors identified as influencing self-esteem
were family relationships, age and social support. These factors provided 35.4% in predicting the self-esteem of grandmother
who raised grandchildren with family relationship had the highest predictive value.
Conclusion : The present study suggested the responsible organizations should organize the program to strengthen the
family relationship and social support activity for the grandmother that will lead to the better health and heightening self-
esteem.
Keywords : Physical health, Self-esteem, Rural areas, Grandmothers raising children, Family relationships
