Adverse life experiences and quality of life among senior citizens of Bhutan: submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
- Queensland, Australia: School of Public Health and Social Work Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, 2016.
The world population is ageing at an unprecedented rate, which is faster now in the developing countries than in the economically developed world. Asia accounts for more than half of the global population. The number of Bhutanese older people (aged > 60 years) is expected to increase from 4.7% in 2005 to 11.2% in 2045, at a population growth rate of 1.8% per annum. Improved health, increased access to education, and economic growth have contributed to longer life expectancy. The steady growth of the older population presents many challenges to families, communities, and societies, particularly for sustainability of health care, pensions and social benefits, and the preservation of quality of life and wellbeing. Older people have traditionally been held in high esteem for their wisdom, their roles as heads of families, and their effective mediation in conflict resolution. However, trends such as urbanisation and modernisation, which tend to change family structures and cohesion, affect the support and care of older family members. In Bhutan, many people have expressed concern about the survival of the much - revered traditions of extended family systems. With more and more people moving to urban areas in search of a better future, senior citizens are being left behind in the rural communities, often to fend for themselves.
Bhutan Quality of life Health related quality of life Wellbeing, aged Older people/senior citizens Adverse childhood experiences Stressful life events Spirituality Psychological distress Prevalence