“Living for Myself and Others”: The Role of an Ostomy Self-Help Group in Thailand in Providing Psychosocial Support

The Thai ostomate self-help group is an informal association of people living with ostomy who come together with the goal of improving their quality of life and living conditions. This study aims to qualitatively explore the experiences of individuals with colostomy and their participation in a self...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Niphattra Haritavorn, Chanika Nimsun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-07-01
Series:Global Qualitative Nursing Research
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936251361311
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849728484926029824
author Niphattra Haritavorn
Chanika Nimsun
author_facet Niphattra Haritavorn
Chanika Nimsun
author_sort Niphattra Haritavorn
collection DOAJ
description The Thai ostomate self-help group is an informal association of people living with ostomy who come together with the goal of improving their quality of life and living conditions. This study aims to qualitatively explore the experiences of individuals with colostomy and their participation in a self-help group in Thailand. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 individuals living with a permanent ostomy who had undergone ostomy surgery for colorectal cancer. Through engaging with the group, participants found ways to live for themselves and others. Information and support were shared in the form of positive stories that empowered participants to live a more normal life and participate in everyday activities. Moreover, group members found a sense of meaning and appreciation in devoting themselves to helping other members. These results enhance the understanding of the benefits of self-help groups in Thailand, and in turn raise question about the provision of psychosocial services for people living with ostomy in the Thai health care system.
format Article
id doaj-art-7b68665bb511461288d6537bb6cd7f6b
institution DOAJ
issn 2333-3936
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher SAGE Publishing
record_format Article
series Global Qualitative Nursing Research
spelling doaj-art-7b68665bb511461288d6537bb6cd7f6b2025-08-20T03:09:32ZengSAGE PublishingGlobal Qualitative Nursing Research2333-39362025-07-011210.1177/23333936251361311“Living for Myself and Others”: The Role of an Ostomy Self-Help Group in Thailand in Providing Psychosocial SupportNiphattra Haritavorn0Chanika Nimsun1Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, ThailandPaolo Hospital Rangsit, Pathum Thani, ThailandThe Thai ostomate self-help group is an informal association of people living with ostomy who come together with the goal of improving their quality of life and living conditions. This study aims to qualitatively explore the experiences of individuals with colostomy and their participation in a self-help group in Thailand. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 individuals living with a permanent ostomy who had undergone ostomy surgery for colorectal cancer. Through engaging with the group, participants found ways to live for themselves and others. Information and support were shared in the form of positive stories that empowered participants to live a more normal life and participate in everyday activities. Moreover, group members found a sense of meaning and appreciation in devoting themselves to helping other members. These results enhance the understanding of the benefits of self-help groups in Thailand, and in turn raise question about the provision of psychosocial services for people living with ostomy in the Thai health care system.https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936251361311
spellingShingle Niphattra Haritavorn
Chanika Nimsun
“Living for Myself and Others”: The Role of an Ostomy Self-Help Group in Thailand in Providing Psychosocial Support
Global Qualitative Nursing Research
title “Living for Myself and Others”: The Role of an Ostomy Self-Help Group in Thailand in Providing Psychosocial Support
title_full “Living for Myself and Others”: The Role of an Ostomy Self-Help Group in Thailand in Providing Psychosocial Support
title_fullStr “Living for Myself and Others”: The Role of an Ostomy Self-Help Group in Thailand in Providing Psychosocial Support
title_full_unstemmed “Living for Myself and Others”: The Role of an Ostomy Self-Help Group in Thailand in Providing Psychosocial Support
title_short “Living for Myself and Others”: The Role of an Ostomy Self-Help Group in Thailand in Providing Psychosocial Support
title_sort living for myself and others the role of an ostomy self help group in thailand in providing psychosocial support
url https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936251361311
work_keys_str_mv AT niphattraharitavorn livingformyselfandotherstheroleofanostomyselfhelpgroupinthailandinprovidingpsychosocialsupport
AT chanikanimsun livingformyselfandotherstheroleofanostomyselfhelpgroupinthailandinprovidingpsychosocialsupport