The effects of religiosity and the practices of religions on the perception of older people among Muslims and Buddhists in Thailand

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of religiosity and the practices of religions among the Muslim and Buddhist populations aged 20-79 in Thailand on maintaining a positive attitude towards older people.

 

Method: Data are from the 2011 Survey on Conditions of Society and Culture, the National Statistical Office (NSO).  The three measures of perceptions of older people are as valuable assets, a family burden and a negatively ageing stereotype.  Religiosity is measured by self-assessment of religious strictness and one’s own practices according to religious principles.  For Muslims, the practices of Islam are measured by the frequency of doing Salat (Praying), observing Saum (fasting), and giving Zakat (donation).  Among Buddhists, the practices of Buddhism are measured by the frequency of praying, Takbat (morning alms giving to monks), the practice of Sila (five precepts) and the practice of meditation.    Multiple regression analysis was conducted to explore the effects of religiosity and the practices of religions on the attitudes toward older people, controlling for sex, age, marital status, educational attainment, residential area, region and wealth. 

 

Result and Discussion: This analysis demonstrates that, in general, religiosity and the practices of religions have positive effects on the perception of the value of older people and negative effects on viewing older persons as a family burden and having negative ageing stereotypes.  Since the vulnerability and challenges of ageing societies will inhibit intergenerational integration in the future, social programs using religious campaigns to reduce ageism and its stereotypes should be promoted.

 

Moderator: Dr.Piyawat Katewongsa