Quality of Life of Children and Youths in Skipped Generation Families in Thailand’s Northeastern Region

Abstract

This article aims to study the levels and factors of important quality of life of children and youths in skipped generation families in Thailand’s northeastern region. The study is mixed research comprising qualitative research and quantitative research. The data was compiled from the sample group of children and youths in top three provinces with the most skipped generation families in northeastern region of Thailand including Surin, Nong Bua Lamphu and Roi Et. The quality of life questionnaire is applied with 483 cases and in-depth interview is made with 15 cases. The results of quality of life questionnaire prove that the respondents have overall quality of life at moderate level (51 percent) and good level (48 percent). For each aspect, the quality of life in mental health is the best, followed by physical health, while quality of life in social relationship is less. Meantime, factor affecting quality of life of children and youths in all four aspects is that different persons giving money to children will result in different quality of life of children and youths. Besides, the results of interview show that the crucial elements of decent quality of life are family relationship and parents and guardian care which apparently affect to mental feeling.