Article Per Year (5 Year)
p-Index From 2021 - 2026
1.434
P-Index
This Author published in this journals
All Journal Narra J
Wongpakaran, Tinakon
Unknown Affiliation
Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Published : 9 Documents Claim Missing Document
Claim Missing Document
Check
Articles

Found 9 Documents
Search
Journal : Narra J

 1 
Biopsychosocial determinants of anxiety and depression among working mothers in China: A public mental health perspective Jiao, Jia; Jenraumjit, Rewadee; Worland , Shirley; Bunyachatakul , Saifon; He, Bijing; Wongpakaran, Tinakon
Narra J Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): December 2025
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v5i3.2754

Abstract

Working mothers often face dual demands from work and parenting, increasing their risk for anxiety and depression. However, the prevalence and contributing factors among Chinese working mothers remain underexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and biopsychosocial determinants of anxiety and depression in this population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 17 and November 21, 2024 through WeChat online among 330 working mothers aged 30–45 years old using validated instruments, including the Outcome Inventory-21 (OI-21), Parental Stress Scale (PSS), Experiences in Close Relationships-revised (ECR-R-10), Inner Strength-based Inventory (I-SBI), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Sociodemographic, socioeconomic and biological factors, including age, marital status, annual income, and physical disease, were also collected through a self-administered general information questionnaire. Data were analyzed using t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation, and hierarchical linear regression. This study found the prevalence was 26.1% for anxiety symptoms and 38.2% for depression symptoms in this group based on the screening tools. Anxiety was significantly associated with both biological (e.g., hormonal changes, family psychiatric history) and psychological factors (e.g., attachment anxiety, parental stress). At the same time, depressive symptoms were primarily predicted by psychological and lifestyle-related factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol use). Notably, inner strength was a protective factor across both conditions. The findings highlight the importance of early detection and integrative care strategies for addressing mental health concerns in working mothers. Incorporating psychological screening, lifestyle assessment, and resilience-building interventions into workplace and community-based healthcare services may improve work-family balance outcomes in this population.
Death contemplation and mental well-being in elderly Thai Buddhist meditation practitioners Glushich, Alla; DeMaranville, Justin; Wongpakaran, Tinakon; Wedding, Danny; Wongpakaran, Nahathai
Narra J Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): December 2025
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v5i3.2753

Abstract

Depression is prevalent among older adults in Southeast Asia, with fear of death as a key contributing factor. In Thailand, Buddhist death contemplation practices promote acceptance of mortality and may support mental well-being. However, their impact on mental health among elderly Thai Buddhist meditation practitioners remains underexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the interrelationships among death contemplation practice, positive death attitudes, and key psychological outcomes: well-being, depression, and gratitude among elderly Thai Buddhist meditation practitioners. A cross-sectional study design was employed, and data were collected from elderly Thai Buddhist meditation practitioners in Northern Thailand. Participants completed validated instruments assessing death attitudes (Morana Questionnaire; MoQ), death contemplation practice (Modified Meditation Evaluation Questionnaire; MMEQ), well-being (WHO-5-T), depression (Outcome Inventory-21), and gratitude (Gratitude Inventory-6). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to examine associations among variables and differences across levels of death contemplation practice. A total of 332 elderly participants (mean age=68.12 years; 66% female) were included. Death contemplation practice showed a significant negative association with depression (p=0.011) but not with well-being (p=0.116) or gratitude (p=0.226) after controlling for covariates. Positive death attitudes were independently associated with lower levels of depression (p<0.001), as well as higher levels of well-being (p<0.001) and gratitude (p<0.001), remaining a significant predictor across all outcomes. The association between contemplation and depression weakened when positive attitudes were included in the model, suggesting a mediating effect. These findings underscore the central role of positive death attitudes, cultivated through contemplative practice, in supporting mental health among elderly Thai Buddhist meditation practitioners. Integrating such practices into interventions may offer culturally appropriate strategies for enhancing well-being in aging Buddhist populations.
Role of adult attachment and spiritual attachment on meaning in life among religious minorities in Thailand: Insights for mental health promotion Wongratanamajcha, Suriwong; DeMaranville, Justin; Wongpakaran, Tinakon; Permsuwan, Unchalee; Worland, Shirley
Narra J Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): December 2025
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v5i3.2958

Abstract

Attachment theory suggests that secure relationships are foundational to meaning in life, but less is known about the role of spiritual attachment, especially among religious minorities. This study examined whether attachment to God mediates the relationship between insecure human attachment and the presence of meaning in life among Thai Protestant Christians. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with Thai Protestant Christians, assessing insecure human attachment (avoidant and anxious), attachment to God, and the presence of meaning in life using validated self-report measures. Mediation analysis was used to test the indirect effect of insecure attachment on meaning via attachment to God. The results showed that attachment to God fully mediated the negative relationship between insecure human attachment and the presence of meaning in life. Participants with higher insecure attachment reported lower meaning in life, but those with a secure attachment to God did not display this deficit. Attachment to God serves as a central psychological resource, a positive figure for humans, and enhances meaning in life, particularly in the minority context of Thai Protestant Christians. These findings highlight the importance of spiritual interventions for individuals experiencing relational or social marginalization.
Loving-kindness moderates the association between neuroticism and anxiety symptoms among Thai older adults Phyu, Moe P.; DeMaranville, Justin; Lerttrakarnnon, Peerasak; Wedding, Danny; Wongpakaran, Nahathai; Wongpakaran, Tinakon
Narra J Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): April 2026
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v6i1.3012

Abstract

The global population is experiencing rapid aging, and the mental health needs of older adults have become an urgent public health concern, with anxiety levels becoming increasingly prevalent among older adults. In Thailand, stress and anxiety among older adults are anticipated to double in the next decade. Neuroticism, characterized by emotional instability and an impulse for negative feelings, is a significant psychological characteristic associated with anxiety. Older adults with higher neuroticism have heightened sensitivity to stress and frequently struggle with emotional regulation, hence increasing their vulnerability to anxiety and other mental health disorders. Loving-kindness, a core Buddhist principle, has been shown to benefit mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, primarily in Western or short-term settings. However, there is limited research assessing its role among older adults in Buddhist cultural contexts, such as Thailand. This study investigated whether loving-kindness moderated the relationship between neuroticism and anxiety symptoms among 232 Thai adults aged 60 and above, using secondary data collected between December 2019 and September 2022. Measures included the Neuroticism Inventory, Core Symptom Index for anxiety, and the Inner Strength-Based Inventory for loving-kindness. Multiple regression analysis evaluated potential moderating effects. The results revealed that anxiety had a positive correlation with neuroticism and a negative correlation with loving-kindness and education; nevertheless, an unexpected pattern occurred in the moderation analysis. Loving-kindness specifically enhanced the correlation between neuroticism and anxiety at high levels, rather than mitigating it. Older adults exhibiting higher levels of neuroticism and loving-kindness reported increased anxiety symptoms. Education was identified as a protective factor, exhibiting a negative correlation with anxiety. Loving-kindness did not mitigate the effect of high neuroticism on anxiety in Thai older adults. Rather, it intensified this correlation, indicating that robust prosocial characteristics lacking sufficient emotional regulation may exacerbate stressful emotions. These findings contradict prevailing theories regarding the universal advantages of loving-kindness and underscore the necessity for therapies that incorporate loving-kindness with emotional regulation and self-care in older adults.
Death contemplation and mental well-being in elderly Thai Buddhist meditation practitioners Glushich, Alla; DeMaranville, Justin; Wongpakaran, Tinakon; Wedding, Danny; Wongpakaran, Nahathai
Narra J Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): December 2025
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v5i3.2753

Abstract

Depression is prevalent among older adults in Southeast Asia, with fear of death as a key contributing factor. In Thailand, Buddhist death contemplation practices promote acceptance of mortality and may support mental well-being. However, their impact on mental health among elderly Thai Buddhist meditation practitioners remains underexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the interrelationships among death contemplation practice, positive death attitudes, and key psychological outcomes: well-being, depression, and gratitude among elderly Thai Buddhist meditation practitioners. A cross-sectional study design was employed, and data were collected from elderly Thai Buddhist meditation practitioners in Northern Thailand. Participants completed validated instruments assessing death attitudes (Morana Questionnaire; MoQ), death contemplation practice (Modified Meditation Evaluation Questionnaire; MMEQ), well-being (WHO-5-T), depression (Outcome Inventory-21), and gratitude (Gratitude Inventory-6). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to examine associations among variables and differences across levels of death contemplation practice. A total of 332 elderly participants (mean age=68.12 years; 66% female) were included. Death contemplation practice showed a significant negative association with depression (p=0.011) but not with well-being (p=0.116) or gratitude (p=0.226) after controlling for covariates. Positive death attitudes were independently associated with lower levels of depression (p<0.001), as well as higher levels of well-being (p<0.001) and gratitude (p<0.001), remaining a significant predictor across all outcomes. The association between contemplation and depression weakened when positive attitudes were included in the model, suggesting a mediating effect. These findings underscore the central role of positive death attitudes, cultivated through contemplative practice, in supporting mental health among elderly Thai Buddhist meditation practitioners. Integrating such practices into interventions may offer culturally appropriate strategies for enhancing well-being in aging Buddhist populations.
Biopsychosocial determinants of anxiety and depression among working mothers in China: A public mental health perspective Jiao, Jia; Jenraumjit, Rewadee; Worland , Shirley; Bunyachatakul , Saifon; He, Bijing; Wongpakaran, Tinakon
Narra J Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): December 2025
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v5i3.2754

Abstract

Working mothers often face dual demands from work and parenting, increasing their risk for anxiety and depression. However, the prevalence and contributing factors among Chinese working mothers remain underexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and biopsychosocial determinants of anxiety and depression in this population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 17 and November 21, 2024 through WeChat online among 330 working mothers aged 30–45 years old using validated instruments, including the Outcome Inventory-21 (OI-21), Parental Stress Scale (PSS), Experiences in Close Relationships-revised (ECR-R-10), Inner Strength-based Inventory (I-SBI), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Sociodemographic, socioeconomic and biological factors, including age, marital status, annual income, and physical disease, were also collected through a self-administered general information questionnaire. Data were analyzed using t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation, and hierarchical linear regression. This study found the prevalence was 26.1% for anxiety symptoms and 38.2% for depression symptoms in this group based on the screening tools. Anxiety was significantly associated with both biological (e.g., hormonal changes, family psychiatric history) and psychological factors (e.g., attachment anxiety, parental stress). At the same time, depressive symptoms were primarily predicted by psychological and lifestyle-related factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol use). Notably, inner strength was a protective factor across both conditions. The findings highlight the importance of early detection and integrative care strategies for addressing mental health concerns in working mothers. Incorporating psychological screening, lifestyle assessment, and resilience-building interventions into workplace and community-based healthcare services may improve work-family balance outcomes in this population.
Role of adult attachment and spiritual attachment on meaning in life among religious minorities in Thailand: Insights for mental health promotion Wongratanamajcha, Suriwong; DeMaranville, Justin; Wongpakaran, Tinakon; Permsuwan, Unchalee; Worland, Shirley
Narra J Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): December 2025
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v5i3.2958

Abstract

Attachment theory suggests that secure relationships are foundational to meaning in life, but less is known about the role of spiritual attachment, especially among religious minorities. This study examined whether attachment to God mediates the relationship between insecure human attachment and the presence of meaning in life among Thai Protestant Christians. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with Thai Protestant Christians, assessing insecure human attachment (avoidant and anxious), attachment to God, and the presence of meaning in life using validated self-report measures. Mediation analysis was used to test the indirect effect of insecure attachment on meaning via attachment to God. The results showed that attachment to God fully mediated the negative relationship between insecure human attachment and the presence of meaning in life. Participants with higher insecure attachment reported lower meaning in life, but those with a secure attachment to God did not display this deficit. Attachment to God serves as a central psychological resource, a positive figure for humans, and enhances meaning in life, particularly in the minority context of Thai Protestant Christians. These findings highlight the importance of spiritual interventions for individuals experiencing relational or social marginalization.
Loving-kindness moderates the association between neuroticism and anxiety symptoms among Thai older adults Phyu, Moe P.; DeMaranville, Justin; Lerttrakarnnon, Peerasak; Wedding, Danny; Wongpakaran, Nahathai; Wongpakaran, Tinakon
Narra J Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): April 2026
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v6i1.3012

Abstract

The global population is experiencing rapid aging, and the mental health needs of older adults have become an urgent public health concern, with anxiety levels becoming increasingly prevalent among older adults. In Thailand, stress and anxiety among older adults are anticipated to double in the next decade. Neuroticism, characterized by emotional instability and an impulse for negative feelings, is a significant psychological characteristic associated with anxiety. Older adults with higher neuroticism have heightened sensitivity to stress and frequently struggle with emotional regulation, hence increasing their vulnerability to anxiety and other mental health disorders. Loving-kindness, a core Buddhist principle, has been shown to benefit mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, primarily in Western or short-term settings. However, there is limited research assessing its role among older adults in Buddhist cultural contexts, such as Thailand. This study investigated whether loving-kindness moderated the relationship between neuroticism and anxiety symptoms among 232 Thai adults aged 60 and above, using secondary data collected between December 2019 and September 2022. Measures included the Neuroticism Inventory, Core Symptom Index for anxiety, and the Inner Strength-Based Inventory for loving-kindness. Multiple regression analysis evaluated potential moderating effects. The results revealed that anxiety had a positive correlation with neuroticism and a negative correlation with loving-kindness and education; nevertheless, an unexpected pattern occurred in the moderation analysis. Loving-kindness specifically enhanced the correlation between neuroticism and anxiety at high levels, rather than mitigating it. Older adults exhibiting higher levels of neuroticism and loving-kindness reported increased anxiety symptoms. Education was identified as a protective factor, exhibiting a negative correlation with anxiety. Loving-kindness did not mitigate the effect of high neuroticism on anxiety in Thai older adults. Rather, it intensified this correlation, indicating that robust prosocial characteristics lacking sufficient emotional regulation may exacerbate stressful emotions. These findings contradict prevailing theories regarding the universal advantages of loving-kindness and underscore the necessity for therapies that incorporate loving-kindness with emotional regulation and self-care in older adults.
Psychometric properties of the Burmese version of Self-Stigma Scale: A study among older Myanmar migrants in Thailand Shun Lei Oo; Moe Moe Yu; Wongpakaran, Tinakon; Griffiths, Jiranan; Lerttrakarnnon, Peerasak; O’Donnell, Ronald R.; Wongpakaran, Nahathai
Narra J Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026): August 2026
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v6i2.3076

Abstract

Self-stigma is a major barrier to mental health help-seeking among marginalized populations, including older Myanmar migrants in Thailand. Despite its importance, this issue has been little studied in this population, and no validated Burmese-language instrument has been available to date. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Burmese version of the Self-Stigma Scale–Short Form (SSS-SF), with particular emphasis on its factor structure, reliability, and validity among older Myanmar migrants in Thailand. Participants (n=211) aged ≥60 years were recruited through online platforms and community outreach initiatives. The SSS-SF was translated and culturally adapted in accordance with international guidelines. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test multiple structural models, and reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Convergent and discriminant validity were examined through correlations with the depression and anxiety subscales of the Outcome Inventory-21 (OI-21), the Mental Help-Seeking Intention Scale (MHSIS), and the Extraversion domain of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire-20 (ZKA-20). Initial analyses indicated that the 9-item bifactor model provided the best representation of the data, although overall fit remained only modest. After removal of four misfitting items, a shortened 5-item version demonstrated improved fit as a unidimensional model. Reliability was good for the 9-item scale (α=0.855) and acceptable for the 5-item scale (α=0.828). Convergent validity was supported by significant positive correlations between self-stigma and OI-21 depression (r=0.55, p<0.01), OI-21 anxiety (r=0.54, p<0.01), and MHSIS (r=0.15, p<0.05). Discriminant validity was supported by a weak, non-significant association with ZKA-20 Extraversion (r=0.11, ns). These findings suggest that, although the original 9-item Burmese SSS-SF showed limitations in model fit, the refined 5-item version offers a more concise measure with initial evidence of promising psychometric properties for assessing self-stigma among older Myanmar migrants. This shorter version may be useful for rapid screening in community and clinical settings, although further validation in other Burmese populations is warranted.
Co-Authors Bunyachatakul , Saifon DeMaranville, Justin Glushich, Alla Griffiths, Jiranan He, Bijing Jenraumjit, Rewadee Jiao, Jia Lerttrakarnnon, Peerasak Moe Moe Yu O’Donnell, Ronald R. Permsuwan, Unchalee Phyu, Moe P. Shun Lei Oo Wedding, Danny Wongpakaran, Nahathai Wongratanamajcha, Suriwong Worland , Shirley Worland, Shirley