title: Emotional Well-Being Following Religious Conversion Among Women in Northeast Thailand.
abstract: Religious conversion can have a profound impact on individual mental health and emotional well-being. These changes may need specific nursing care. In this article, we describe the lived experiences of 21 women who converted from Buddhism to Islam and who live in Isan, the northeast region of Thailand. The data derive from in-depth interviews, natural conversations, and observations. Thematic analysis revealed two dominant themes: women's sense of happiness in their new faith, and their suffering following from and as a result of their conversion. To provide appropriate care to and prevent mental health problems among Isan women who convert from Buddhism to Islam, and other women in similar contexts, health providers need to enhance their understanding of conversion and to be aware of life experiences that impact on their emotional well-being.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Muang, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. su5599@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Suangsuda
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8453-9684
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Charoenwong
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research and Training on Gender and Women's Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Siriporn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chirawatkul
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lenore
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002016:Buddhism / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Buddhism; Conversion; Emotional well-being; Islam; Thailand