從配偶照顧者到志願服務者的角色轉換之敘事研究─以高齡者為例

Abstract

隨著高齡社會的來到，配偶往往是最佳的照顧人選，然而，每個獨特的個體分別在不同的照顧樣貌下有著獨有的角色轉變歷程。歷程裡看見在照顧負擔、照顧關係中牽引出社會網絡中的角色延續性、志願服務工作的門檻與選擇，最後歷經喪偶調適與經驗志願服務新角色生活後，體現自我調適、覺察與改變，最終決定邁向新生活、迎接新社會角色。因此，本研究從高齡志工出發，探究其從配偶照顧者至志願服務者的角色轉換歷程，除了瞭解角色轉換歷程外，更探究其自身角色重新詮釋、自我統整經驗與性別意涵。高齡者的角色轉換涉及舊角色拋棄、認同、適應與新角色的重新詮釋，過程中伴隨著情緒、思想、行為改變與自我發展，對於配偶在角色與社會關係改變上為本研究之目的：一、瞭解高齡者的角色轉變歷程；二、瞭解高齡者在其角色轉換後對自身角色重新詮釋；三、探索高齡者在其角色轉換歷程下之自我統整經驗；四、瞭解高齡者在其角色轉換歷程下之性別意涵，用以鼓勵與正視高齡者之獨特的角色轉換經驗。本研究以五位居住於高雄，且曾實際提供照顧配偶工作超過一年以上，現為65歲以上之志願服務者為研究對象，透過敘事分析了解其角色轉換歷程中的照顧樣態、轉變特徵、影響因素、調適策略…等面向，以獲得相關寶貴研究資料，並予以相關經驗者實證之建議。研究結果在配偶面臨角色轉變時展現執行新舊角色間差異、人際互動與社交環境改變之特徵，其內外助力為影響後續角色轉換之因素；新舊角色間的轉換的過程中，看見社會網絡中的強弱連結，從私領域裡牽引出與迎接尋新角色的脈絡，走向公領域時以新的生命量能適應新角色生活；自我統整的經驗展現喪偶後的自我覺察、認同與接納，在其老年生活中找尋安身立命的位置；性別意涵則呈現出配偶在角色期待下，選擇順應與接受，然而女性新角色的找尋多數與過去生命經驗與角色經驗有關，成為志願服務工作內容的門檻，限制志願服務的選擇。每位高齡者的角色轉換經驗都有其獨特與精采，即便在社會結構下將角色的轉變視為的理所當然或是無法覺察，但過去的照顧經驗已潛移默化形成具創造性有力泉源，在不斷變動的環境裡，體現出個人自我形象、家庭關係、生活規劃的改變，不僅在延續自身的經驗與迎接新角色的同時，更撰寫出另新的人生篇章。In this study, it shows what the text of spousal caregivers’ transition and how the experience of role transition affects spousal caregivers' perceptions of change in the inner self, self-acceptance, self-identity and explore how gender role shapes in the traditional Chinese society and culture. The study group was comprised of older adults recruited from the nonprofit organization, community care center, district courthouse, elementary school and hospital. In-depth interviews were conducted with five older adults whose spouses had disability or dementia. The interviews and narrative analysis showed and confirmed that: 1. The spouses experienced the differences between spousal caregiver and volunteer and the social capital/ social network as strong asset to ties between them in the process of role transition.2. The experience of integration revealed self-awareness, acceptance and identity after the adaptation of life among the elderly widowed, and finally got where they are.3. The gender role presents caregivers kept spouses’ and mothers’ duties and fulfill their obligations in traditional Chinese culture. Thus, their gender role experiences become the threshold of volunteering, restricted the choice of volunteering.This study also puts forward specific recommendations for future research, practice and older adult, which will serve as references for future academic research, practitioner.