高齡女性社會活動參與者之生命經驗探究

Abstract

本研究主要探究高齡女性參加社會活動者的生命經驗，透過敘事探究方法和生涯建構的概念，瞭解其過去生命事件所形成的生命主題與生涯適應力，如何影響其對社會活動的參與和意義建構。現有研究，多聚焦於社會參與對高齡者的影響，較少深入瞭解過往生命經驗對社會參與行為的意涵與形塑過程。爰此，本研究從敘事探究及生涯建構觀點出發，呈現高齡女性社會參與的內在動機、反思歷程與生命故事。研究採用質性敘事研究法，透過半結構深度訪談，深入訪問5位67—77歲，現居北部都會區，且具備高中以上學歷的高齡女性社會活動參加者。研究共進行四次面對面深度訪談，訪談主軸分為兩部分：第一部分為重要生命事件的回顧與意義建構，第二部分則聚焦於參與社會活動的經驗與形塑的意義。有關參與者生命經驗，結果主要有下列五部分：（1）參與者的生命主題顯現出高度的韌性、自我反思與助人導向，並藉由參與社會活動延伸其生命意義與自我價值。（2）在生涯適應力面向上，參與者普遍展現出掌控、關切、自信與好奇等適應資源，惟在不同階段展現之強度略有差異，顯示其生涯適應歷程具階段性與情境性。（3）參與者認為參加社會活動，讓她們有更多的學習外，也感到生活更加充實；增進了人際關係與社會連結。（4）部分參與者表示經由投入活動，與學習和他人的互動產生貢獻感與認同感。（5）反思能力為心理韌性的來源之一，進而強化其面對老化與生活變動的信心。整體而言，研究顯示，高齡女性主動參加社會活動是一種積極的生命建構歷程，其背後蘊含著個人需要與價值信念。參與者透過回顧生命經驗，建構出支持其持續參與的生命主題與意義價值，進一步強化其自我認同與生涯適應力。最後，本研究亦結合過往相關文獻對提出未來實務上，應可更重視高齡女性者的生命脈絡以增進其參與的持續性與深度；服務高齡者時，可導入敘事取向與生涯建構觀點，促進其晚年生活的主動性與正向感等相關想法。此外，亦認為宜關切東、西方文化脈絡差異所致的影響，並對未來研究實務及方向提出建議。This study explores the life experiences of older women who participate in social activities, using a narrative inquiry approach and the framework of career construction theory. The research aims to understand how life themes and career adaptability, formed through past life events, influence their engagement in social activities and the construction of personal meaning. While previous studies have primarily focused on the effects of social participation on older adults, few have examined how earlier life experiences shape the meaning and process of social engagement. Therefore, this research adopts a narrative and career construction perspective to reveal the internal motivations, reflective processes, and life stories of older women engaged in social participation.This research adopts a qualitative narrative approach, conducting in-depth semi- structured interviews with five women aged 67—77 currently residing in metropolitan areas in northern Taiwan, and possessing at least a high school education. Each participant underwent four face-to-face in-depth interviews, focusing on two main aspects: (1) reviewing important life events and constructing their meanings, and (2) experiences and meanings shaped through participation in social activities.The findings regarding participants’ life experiences in social participation are summarized as follows: (1) Participants' life themes demonstrated high levels of resilience, self-reflection, and a helping orientation. Through engaging in social activities, they extended their sense of life meaning and self-worth; (2) In terms of career adaptability, participants generally exhibited adaptability resources such as control, concern, confidence, and curiosity. However, the intensity of these resources varied across life stages and contexts, suggesting that the process of career adaptability is both phased and situational; (3)Participants reported that social participation enriched their lives, offering learning opportunities and enhancing interpersonal relationships and social connectedness; and (4) ome participants expressed a sense of contribution and identity through interaction and learning within social activities.(5)Reflective capacity emerged as a source of psychological resilience, reinforcing their confidence in facing aging and life transitions.Overall, the study showed that older women’s active participation in social activities is a positive process of life construction, underpinned by personal needs and value beliefs. By reflecting on their life experiences, participants construct life themes and values that support their ongoing participation, further reinforcing their self-identity and career adaptability. Finally, this study integrates previous literature to propose that future practice should pay greater attention to the life context of older women to enhance the continuity and depth of their participation. When serving older adults, narrative and career construction approaches can be introduced to promote greater initiative and positivity in later life. In addition, the study highlights the importance of attending to the impacts of cultural differences between Eastern and Western contexts and offers suggestions for future research and practical directions.