Selected Factors Affecting Contentment Cognition among Thai Youth

Abstract

This study aimed (1) to examine the level of Santosa cognition among Thai adolescents, and (2) to investigate the influence of selected psychological and psychosocial factors on their Santosa cognition. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. The sample comprised 400 Thai adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, ANOVA (F-test), Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression.

The results revealed that 1) The overall level of psychological trait factors among Thai adolescents was high. Among the subdimensions, the highest average was found in future-oriented self-control, followed by genuine versus superficial value thinking, and self-worth awareness, respectively. 2) The overall level of psycho-social factors was also high. The family relationship dimension had the highest average, followed by student-teacher relationships, and lastly, peer relationships. 3) The overall level of Santosa cognition was high. The subdimension with the highest average was Yathalabha-Santosa (contentment with what one receives), followed by Yathasaruppa-Santosa (contentment with what is appropriate), and Yathabala-Santosa (contentment with what one has). And 4) Hypothesis testing revealed that Thai youth with different parental statuses and parenting styles demonstrated significant differences in their Santosa cognition. Psychological traits, including self-worth awareness, future-oriented self-control, and value-based thinking, had a statistically significant positive influence on Santosa cognition at the 0.05 level. Similarly, psychosocial factors—peer relationships, family relationships, and student-teacher relationships—also had a statistically significant positive effect on Santosa cognition at the 0.05 level.