INTEGRATION OF BUDDHIST MINDFULNESS PSYCHOLOGY TO DEVELOP THE MENTAL POTENTIAL OF VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS FOR THE ELDERLY IN RAI KHING URBAN COMMUNITY, NAKHON PATHOM PROVINCE

Abstract

This study pursued objectives to 1) examine the integration of Buddhist mindfulness psychology in developing the potential of volunteer caregivers for the elderly in Rai Khing Urban Community, Nakhon Pathom Province; 2) construct a knowledge package for volunteer caregiver development grounded in Buddhist mindfulness psychology; and 3) transfer the integration within the actual community context of Rai Khing. Employing a qualitative research methodology, the study investigated Buddhist mindfulness psychology and its integration into volunteer caregiver development, with the aim of making the framework genuinely accessible and applicable to volunteers and those caring for elderly individuals. Data were collected from 20 key informants drawn from four groups - volunteers, community-dwelling elderly, community leaders and local officials, and representatives of relevant organisations - through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary research. All data were subjected to content analysis in accordance with the research objectives. The findings revealed 1) the integration of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthana 4) which serve as an internal competency development mechanism for volunteers - with the Four Divine Abodes (Brahmavihara 4) which constitute the virtuous core guiding volunteer–elderly relationships - together with contemporary mindfulness psychology, proved appropriate to the context of Rai Khing Urban Community. 2) the researcher developed a knowledge package entitled “Buddhist Mindfulness Psychology for Elderly Care Using the SATI-CARE MODEL”, employing a four-petalled lotus as its symbol, in which each petal represents one of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness and the central core represents the Four Divine Abodes; the package comprises a two-day practical training programme structured around seven core topics covering meditation and mindfulness in daily life, awareness of feelings and mind, loving-kindness and forgiveness, long-term mental resilience, and application to elderly care; and 3) after the knowledge transfer, volunteers showed clear improvement in mindfulness, interpersonal relationships, and compassionate daily living, as confirmed by the knowledge-package assessment and informants. This research presents the SATI-CARE MODEL as an eldercare innovation grounded in Buddhist philosophy and supported by empirical evidence, with strong potential for sustainable replication across other Buddhist communities.