ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research was to 1) study psycho-social factors of Graduate students in Master of Arts (Life & Death), Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, 2) study merit mind of Graduate students, and  3) study psycho-social factors affecting merit mind of Graduate students, Research population consisted of 106 students in Master of Arts (Life & Death), Batch 1-Batch 4. Data collection was done using 106 questionnaires. Seventy-three were returned completely (68.87%). Data analysis used frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and stepwise multiple regression. The findings showed as follows.                       

1.  Psycho-social factor of Graduate students in Master of Arts (Life & Death), Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University was at high level. Psycho factors such as moral reasoning ability and future orientation were at high level. Mental-health factor was at moderate level. All social factors such as social norm perception, visible model, and social support, were at high level.     

2.  Merit mind of Graduate students in Master of Arts (Life & Death), Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University was at high level. In giving and precepts, it was at high level, similar to meditation, which was at high level in almost every aspect. The highest level belonged to Dhammassavanamaya; the way to make merit through listening to the Doctrine.   

3.  Psycho-social factors wholly affecting merit mind of Graduate students in Master of Arts (Life & Death), Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University consisted of social norm perception and visible model.    

     3.1 Psycho-social factor affecting merit mind of Graduate students in giving was visible model.  

     3.2 Psycho-social factor affecting merit mind of Graduate students in precepts was visible model.  

     3.3 Psycho-social factors affecting merit mind of Graduate students in meditation were visible model and future orientation.