Living to 100 With Purpose: An Ethnographic Study of Meaning-Making Among Centenarians in Loei Province, Thailand

Abstract

Thailand is rapidly entering a super-aged era; however, limited research has examined naturally occurring exceptional longevity in rural communities, particularly regarding lived experiences, cultural identity, and meaning-making processes. This study explores the lived experiences, lifestyle patterns, and socio-cultural, environmental, and health determinants of centenarians in Loei Province, Northeastern Thailand, with the aim of identifying community-based factors that support healthy ageing and developing a culturally grounded conceptual model of meaning-centered longevity.
An interpretive ethnographic approach was employed. Participants included 12 centenarians aged 100–108 years, 9 family caregivers, and 5 community informants. Data were collected through 26 in-depth narrative interviews, participant observations during home visits, and reflective field notes over a 14-month period to enhance data triangulation and contextual interpretation.
The findings indicate that exceptional longevity is shaped by a multidimensional interaction of factors rather than biological determinants alone. Five interconnected themes emerged: cultural identity and ancestral groundedness, life purpose and daily contribution, emotional–spiritual resilience, intergenerational connectedness, and wisdom integration and legacy transmission. Key determinants also include the consumption of natural and locally sourced foods, continuous functional movement, emotional balance, and strong family and community support systems. These findings informed the development of the ICE-L Model (Identity–Connection–Endurance–Legacy), which conceptualizes extended healthspan through the interplay of cultural, ecological, behavioral, emotional, and community-based dimensions.
This study contributes to ageing studies, public health, and community sustainability by demonstrating that healthy ageing in rural Thailand is deeply embedded in cultural practices, local ecology, and social connectedness. The findings offer practical implications for sustainable ageing policy and community-based health promotion and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 3, 10, 11, and 17.