Narra J
April 2026
Moe P Phyu, Justin DeMaranville, Peerasak Lerttrakarnnon et al.
The global population is experiencing rapid aging, and the mental health needs of older adults have become an urgent public health concern, with anxiety levels becoming increasingly prevalent among older adults. In Thailand, stress and anxiety among older adults are anticipated to double in the next decade. Neuroticism, characterized by emotional instability and an impulse for negative...
BMC Psychology
December 8, 2025
Alla Glushich, Justin DeMaranville, Tinakon Wongpakaran et al.
2 citations
BACKGROUND: This study investigated pāramīs-based inner strengths and mental health outcomes among elderly Thai Buddhist meditators, with a particular focus on the combined effects of strict ethical adherence to the Five Precepts (abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants) and varying level of death contemplation practice because this combination is a hallmark...
Narra J
December 1, 2025
Alla Glushich, Justin DeMaranville, Tinakon Wongpakaran et al.
Depression is prevalent among older adults in Southeast Asia, with fear of death as a key contributing factor. In Thailand, Buddhist death contemplation practices promote acceptance of mortality and may support mental well-being. However, their impact on mental health among elderly Thai Buddhist meditation practitioners remains underexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the...
BMC Psychology
July 29, 2025
Justin DeMaranville, Tinakon Wongpakaran, Nahathai Wongpakaran et al.
2 citations
Death recollection is a form of mindfulness meditation that orients a practitioner's calm attention toward an awareness of death. This meditation is practiced by Theravada Buddhists of all ages throughout Thailand. This research investigates how recollecting death influences Thai teenager mental health. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to recruit participants from five...
Scientific Reports
May 6, 2025
Nahathai Wongpakaran, Sirilux Klaychaiya, Chompimaksorn Panuspanudechdamrong et al.
2 citations
Older adults frequently face a myriad of physical and mental health challenges, which can contribute to feelings of stress and subsequent depression. Nevertheless, with age often comes a wealth of life experience and resilience. Perceived stress commonly predicts depression across all age groups, while meditation has been associated with lower levels of depression. Additionally, adherence to...
PLoS One
2025
Justin DeMaranville, Tinakon Wongpakaran, Nahathai Wongpakaran et al.
1 citation
Meditation has been demonstrated to benefit adolescent mental health. This research examined various meditation styles practiced in northern Thailand to determine which were associated with positive and negative mental health outcomes in adolescents. High school students who were 15-18 years old and who were enrolled in grades 10-12 in either secular or Buddhist Thai boarding schools were...
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
October 30, 2024
Piangdao Sripunya, Tinakon Wongpakaran, Nahathai Wongpakaran
2 citations
Background and Objectives: Fifty percent of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience self-harm. One of the crucial factors related to self-harm is feelings of emptiness. While inner strengths, such as the Five Precepts, meditation, and equanimity, have been identified as potential buffers against negative mental health outcomes in BPD, their role in mediating the...
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
April 11, 2024
Khin Moe Myint, Justin DeMaranville, Tinakon Wongpakaran et al.
6 citations
Background and Objectives: Loneliness is prevalent among residents of long-term care settings, posing significant challenges to their mental wellbeing. Insecure attachment has been identified as a contributing factor to loneliness in this population. Previous research has suggested that meditation may have beneficial effects on mental health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the...
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
July 3, 2023
Justin DeMaranville, Tinakon Wongpakaran, Nahathai Wongpakaran et al.
6 citations
Research shows that Buddhist precept adherence (i.e., abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicant use) and meditation practice influence mental health outcomes. This study investigated how Buddhist precept adherence and meditation practice influenced the relationship between insecure attachment and depressive symptoms among Thai adolescents. A total of 453 Thai...
Journal of Mental Health Counseling
July 1, 2014
Tinakon Wongpakaran, Kelly J. Elsegood, Nahathai Wongpakaran et al.
This case example describes the use of Control-Mastery Theory and Jungian dream theory to interpret a Thai woman’s dreams and treat her nightmare disorder. We posit that therapy enabled the client to identify and challenge unconscious beliefs that had been preventing her from pursuing romantic relationships and ultimately life goals. The case illustrates dream interpretation as a...