其他摘要：The rapidly increasing number of single-mother families is the phenomena that several sectors in society give priority. Although personal power of single-mother is an important factor affecting capability to deal with change, and support her family to do its duties, there was no theoretical definition of personal power of single-mothers in the context of Thai society. This research aimed to study meaning and characteristics of personal power of single-mother in Thai society context using qualitative research with as grounded theory method. Target group is single-mothers aged between 30 and 45 years old who lives in Bangkok, with experience of being single mothers longer than 3 years and socioeconomic status in moderate and level lower. Single mothers having a tendency to have high personal power that could adapt themselves through crisis of changes in families to the secure state were selected from a group of them recommended by persons who had worked closely with single mothers and Snowball Sampling. Information was collected from twelve key informants by in-depth interview. An analysis of the content from the interviews led to the theoretical proposal. The theoretical proposition was confirmed by experienced practitioners working with single mothers. The results of the research have shown meaning and five characteristics of single-mother’s personal power: (1) Recognition and belief in self-efficacy that is recognition and belief in self-efficacy to deal with problems which derived from experiences, learning, models, being acknowledged, and success of being single-mother (2) Self-acceptance and awareness are self-acceptance, thinking of self-reliance and awareness of self-honor (3) Positive thinking perspective is giving positive meaning or accepting different perspectives, creating meaning of life, and world and life understandings (4) Self-determination is decision to choose and act independently, setting possible goal of life for oneself, determination for action, and capability for solving problem (5) Seeing opportunity and social support is perception and using available support including capability to access knowledge to develop oneself. These results of the study would be information to design procedure of individual counseling to enhance personal power of single-mother in the future.
