Self-care process as experienced by middle-aged Thai women.

My purpose in this study was to explore the process of self-care actions in promoting health among middle-aged Thai women. Data were obtained from in-depth recorded interviews with 15 middle-aged Thai women living in Bangkok. Findings showed that the process of self-care actions for achieving health among middle-aged Thai women moved through a series of five stages: (1) perceiving health status, (2) developing awareness of the importance of one's own health, (3) finding motivation for self-care, (4) taking control for self-care, and (5) evaluating the consequences of self-care activities. I conclude that the process of self-care actions originated from women's internal demands and the formulation of self-care action is intertwined with women's values, beliefs, and way of life. Specific guidance about self-care and encouragement from nurses are meaningful for women to effectively perform self-care actions resulting in the promotion of long-term wellness in the later years of life.