Using Buddhism in caring for mental health among students at Prince of
Songkla University
Wandee Suttharangsee, Asst. Prof., D. of Psychiatric Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Tippa Chetchaovalit, Asst. Prof., D. of Psychiatric Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Jintana Lertpiboon, D. of Psychiatric Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Corresponding e-mail : swandee@ratree.psu.ac.th
Grant : Prince of Songkla University
Published : Research Report
Key words : Buddhist religious, mental health
This qualitative study aimed to explain experiences in using Buddhism to care for mental
health among students at Prince of Songkla University. Meanings of mental health caring, impacts
of Buddhism on caring for mental health, methods in applying Buddhism in caring for mental health, and facilitating as well as inhibiting factors related to usages of Buddhism in caring for mental health were described in this study. Informants included thirty students from every faculty in Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai campus. Data were collected using in-depth interview and focus group with tape-recording, and participant observations. Leininger's phases of ethnonursing analysis for qualitative data was used to analyze data.
The findings revealed two meanings of mental health care : not be attached to anything and
being calm or relaxed. Informants believed that Buddhism impacted mental health care within three ways : self/others understanding, Kum-lung-jai (emotional support or inner strength), and satisfied
with existences. Three methods used in mental health caring for informants included using religious principles, religious practices, and attachment of sacred. Facilitating factors for using religious in caring for mental health were modeling, appreciation in places, peer group, and schools curriculum/teaching, whereas teaching learning styles, peers, and self-readiness were described as informants' inhibiting factors.
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