การรับรู้ความเครียดของผู้สูงอายุในชุมชนศูนย์กลางบริการและชุมชนรอบนอก อําเภอฮอด จังหวัดเชียงใหม่

Abstract

This study employed a cross-sectional survey design with the objective of examining and comparing stress levels among older adults in service-center communities and peripheral communities in Hot District, Chiang Mai Province. The sample consisted of 200 older adults, including 100 participants from the service-center community in Hang Dong Subdistrict and 100 participants from the peripheral community in Bo Luang Subdistrict. Data were collected using the Thai version of the Perceived Stress Scale. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were used for data analysis. An independent t-test was employed to compare stress levels between the two groups.

        The results showed that older adults in peripheral communities had a mean total stress score of 17.28 (S.D. = 4.21), indicating a low level of stress. Similarly, older adults in service-center communities had a mean total stress score of 18.89 (S.D. = 4.97), which was also classified as a low level of stress. However, a statistically significant difference in stress levels was observed between the two groups, with older adults in service-center communities experiencing higher stress levels than those in peripheral communities (p-value = 0.014). These findings suggest that community context may be associated with stress levels among older adults, particularly in relation to environmental conditions and lifestyle patterns. Therefore, appropriate strategies for mental health surveillance and promotion tailored to community contexts, especially in service-center communities, should be developed.