Factors Promoting Health Care Behaviors Among Pre-Elderly for Self-Reliance and Active Aging

Abstract

This study employed a mixed-methods approach to examine factors that promote health care behaviors among pre-elderly individuals in preparation for self-reliance and active aging. Four factors were explored: health care behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and social support. The quantitative component involved a stratified random sample of 400 individuals aged 45–59 years from Bangkok and
the provinces of Nakhon Nayok and Suphan Buri. Data were collected via a 20-item questionnaire (5-point Likert scale; IOC = 0.962; Cronbach’s α = 0.887) and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The qualitative component used criterion sampling to include 15 key informants, such as academics, nursing and elderly care professionals, health promotion specialists, and organizational executives. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicate that all four factors significantly promote health care behaviors, with social support rated highest (X̅̅ = 4.11). Key strategies to enhance these factors
include: (1) health care behaviors—guidance on nutrition, exercise, emotional management, motivational strategies, and community health services; (2) knowledge— accessible educational materials, awareness of health rights, and inter-agency collaboration; (3) attitudes—health education, family involvement, and role model initiatives; and (4) social support—family and community engagement, supportive policies, and public awareness campaigns. These results underscore the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in preparing pre-elderly individuals for active aging and self-reliance, contributing to improved quality of life.