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The development of culturally-sensitive measures for research on ageing
- Author:
- INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 31(3), April 2011, pp.355-370.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article examines the problem of importing existing measures developed in other countries when creating research instruments for use with older people. These measures often fail to address any cultural aspects present. The article discusses a mixed-methods approach to measurement that incorporates input from older adults in Thailand for whom the measure is intended. Using 44 people in 5 focus groups and 23 in-depth interviews, the process begins with an identification of the culturally-meaningful domains of the construct under study. Then, input is gathered from other studies, before a preliminary quantitative measure is developed. Finally, the measure is reviewed by a panel of experts. Based on further pre-testing and cognitive interviews with older people, the measure is again modified. Subsequently, the measure is incorporated into a large-scale survey and tested for its psychometric qualities. In addition to providing a template for culturally-sensitive measurement development in gerontology, this article also examines issues that researchers should consider when attempting the development of such measures.
Service delivery reforms for Asian ageing societies: a cross-country study between Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines
- Authors:
- NODA Shinichiro, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Integrated Care, 21(2), 2021, p.1. Online only
- Publisher:
- International Foundation for Integrated Care
Introduction: Japan’s health policies to address the most advanced-aged society have been the target of focus in Asia, but no studies have investigated this issue using tools for cross-country comparisons. Theory and methods: A cross-country study design was used to compare healthcare reform policies with a framework in Japan, Korea, Thailand, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Data were collected via document reviews and key informant interviews. Results: Three distinctions were identified. First, all countries except for the Philippines have policy decisions regarding reforms for the existing service delivery systems for healthcare, long-term care and welfare. Second, the most extensive service delivery reform is currently being implemented in Japan, whose system is shifting to primary health care. Third, the direction of the transformation of service delivery system is different between Thailand and China despite a similar level of ageing society. China has made progress on facility-based care integration between health and social care, whereas Thailand is focusing on home-based care. Conclusions and discussion: Doctor and hospital-based healthcare delivery system requires more drastic reform for an aged society. This fact implies that strengthening primary health care is not only useful for current health issues but also an investment for the aged society near future in low- and middle-income countries. (Edited publisher abstract)
Measuring psychological well-being: insights from Thai elders
- Authors:
- INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 44(5), October 2004, pp.596-604.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Psychological well-being, an important indicator of successful aging, may be conceptualized quite differently across cultures. Using a mixed-methods approach, we developed a measure of psychological well-being based on the indigenous expertise of Thai elders. Data were collected from older people in Thailand in four stages with staggered qualitative and quantitative methods: individual and focus group interviews (n = 67); a preliminary survey (n = 477); cognitive interviews (n = 30); and a second survey (n = 460). We analyzed the resulting psychological well-being items to identify their underlying factor structure and psychometric properties. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested that psychological well-being has two components: intrapersonal and interpersonal. The subscales for this measure have adequate reliability and validity. This research provides evidence for cultural variability in the nature of psychological well-being and highlights the importance of developing measures that are culturally relevant.
Social participation types and benefits on health outcomes for elder people: a systematic review
- Authors:
- WANCHAI Ausanee, PHROMPAYAK Duangjai
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing International, 44(3), 2019, pp.223-233.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
The Purpose of this systematic review was to examine patterns of social participation and their benefits on health outcomes of elder people. Published articles written in English from 2006 to 2016 were searched from electronic databases, including PubMed. Science Direct, and CINAHL, as well as hand search for unpublished papers. The results showed that 6 papers met the inclusion criteria. The social participation patterns in elder people could be categorized into 2 patterns, including: (1) collective participation, (2) productive participation. Both social participation patterns could improve psychosocial issues of elder people. Therefore, the authors suggested that to succeed in promoting healthy ageing for these people, health care providers should encourage older people to engage in social activities. However, more rigorous research is also needed to confirm the correlation between social participation types and health benefits among these older people. (Edited publisher abstract)
Etic and emic perspectives on aging across four countries: Italy, Thailand, Botswana, and the United States
- Authors:
- KARLIN Nancy J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing International, 39(4), 2014, pp.348-368.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
Elders’ experiences while ageing in place were obtained as part of an effort to develop a typology of emic (culture-specific) and etic (universal) models of ageing. Data came from interviews with older adults in Italy, Thailand, Botswana, and the United States. Analysis of variance was used to examine similarities and differences in the samples. Comparing country data from the four collection sites, similarities were indicated for participants’ marital status, and having children and grandchildren. Differences were evident for the number of children and grandchildren, level of reported health and happiness, overall satisfaction with life, type of pension received, whether benefits are sufficient, the availability of extra revenue, and the number of daily and weekly activities indicated. Findings highlight the diverse cross-national ageing experience of elders in this study. As worldwide demographic change leads to older populations and there are shifts in societal norms (in family involvement in caregiving, health care, and policy development), there is a dire need to understand how these changes impact elders at emic (culture/country-specific) and etic (universal) levels. (Edited publisher abstract)
Gender and wellbeing among older people: evidence from Thailand
- Authors:
- SOBIESZCZYK Teresa, KNODEL John, CHAYOVAN Napaporn
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 23(6), November 2003, pp.701-735.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Researchers and international organisations frequently suggest that older women are disadvantaged in comparison with older men. This analysis of census and survey data from Thailand, however, indicates a far more complex association between gender and various aspects of ageing. Through an examination of various demographic, economic, psychosocial and health variables, it is found that older Thai women do face certain disadvantages compared to their male counterparts, including lower education and literacy, far higher levels of widowhood and living alone, and a lower likelihood of receiving formal retirement benefits. Older Thai men, however, also face relative disadvantages, including worse survivorship, a lower likelihood of receiving money from adult children, a greater probability of debt and other financial problems, and lower satisfaction with their financial situation. Many other demographic, psychosocial and economic measures are not significantly associated with gender. This analysis provides some support for a lifecourse perspective, that relates gender differences in old age to differences in earlier life experiences, roles and reward structures, particularly access to retirement pensions and the type of support older men and women provide for their co-resident children. Marital status often mediates gender differences in wellbeing among older people. The study concludes with research and policy recommendations.