The Causal Model of Family Strength in Thai Society

Abstract

The research article consisted of the following objectives: 1) to develop a causal model of family strength in Thai society; and 2) to investigate the consistency of a causal model of family strength in Thai society that was developed based on the empirical data. The study used a quantitative research technique, with a sample group of 1,200 inhabitants from Bangkok and its surrounding provinces of Nonthaburi, Samutprakan, Nakhonpathom, and Pathumthani. The variables considered in the study were family strength, family function, Gharāvāsa-dhamma (virtues for a good household life), and Spiritual well-Being. The researcher conducted a literature review in order to create a theoretical model that included the latent variables listed as follows: 1) Gharāvāsa-dhamma which consists of 4 latent variables namely sacca (truth and honesty), dama (taming and training oneself), khanti (tolerance), and cāga (liberality); and 2) The data collection employed a questionnaire. The data was collected using a questionnaire, and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze a causal model.

            From the study, the following results have been found: 1) Gharāvāsa-dhamma and family function influenced a casual model of family strength in Thai society directly, whereas family function and spiritual comfort influenced indirectly. This denotes that family will be strong if family members practice Gharāvāsa-dhamma, that is, if family members are truthful and honest (sacca) with one another, able to tame and train oneself (dama), have tolerance (khanti) for difficulties, and are willing to go through happiness and suffering together (cāga). Aside from that, family strength is dependent on family function, which includes family members bonding, unity, ability to communicate positively, ability to perform their roles in the family, and ability to handle problems together in the family. Furthermore, the findings of the study indicate that practicing Gharāvāsa-dhamma will support family members in spiritual comfort and family function, eventually leading to family strength; 2) A casual model of family strength in Thai society has Goodness-of-Fit with empirical data, yielding the following results: Chi-square test = 77, Degrees of freedom (df) = 59, p-value = .057, GFI = .973. The variables in a model can explain 91 percent of the variance in moral courage.