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Perceived Social Support from Family and Friends in Older Persons:
A Comparison Between Thailand and Japan

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H. Sethabouppha, N. Shimizu, T. Umemura, M. Matsunaga, N. Suwankruhasn, C. Suvanayos, 1
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T. Yamada, M. Kato, and N. Hasegawa 6
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Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, Faculty of Nursing, Toyama Prefectural University,
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Japan, Department of Health and Psychosocial Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Japan, Faculty
of Health Sciences, Bukkyo University, Japan, Department of Rehabilitation, AICHI Medical College of
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Rehabilitation, Japan, and Graduate School of Nursing, Doshisha Women’s College, Japan
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Background: Aging elderly populations across many countries require learning. Perceived social
support among individuals in Thailand and Japan may be similar based on Asian cultural norms,
social structures, and individual experiences that may influence perceived social support in each
country.

Objective: This research investigates the Perceived Social Support of family and friends among older
persons in Thailand and Japan
Oral Presentation Abstracts
Methods: This cross-sectional study design research aimed to investigate the Perceived Social status
of family and friends among older persons in Thailand and Japan. The sample consisted of 56 Thai
elderly individuals residing in Chiang Mai province, Thailand, and 86 Japanese elderly individuals
living in Aichi, Ishikawa, and Kyoto prefectures, Japan. The instruments included personal information
questionnaires and the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6). Data were analyzed using descriptive
statistics mean, Mann-Whitney U, and Chi-square.

Results: The mean score of the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6) of the Thai elderly was 15.87
(SD=5.91), while those of the Japanese elderly were 17.0814(SD=5.13). There was no statistical difference
in social support between the Thai and Japanese elderly.

Conclusion: The perception of social support among older persons in Thailand and Japan may differ
due to variations in Family Structure, Religious influence, Social cohesion, cultural norms, Tight-Knit
Communities, and Community welfare.

In both countries, the perception of social support among individuals in Thailand and Japan is similar
due to experiences unique to Asian countries, which can influence how individuals perceive and
access support networks.

Keywords: social support, social network, older adults, Asian culture, community welfare

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Correspondence: Hunsa Sethabouppha, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
E-mail: hunsa.s@cmu.ac.th

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