女性在育兒階段壓力與寂寞感之調適歷程

Abstract

本研究旨在探討女性在育兒階段會面臨到的壓力來源與寂寞感受，透過母親自述的方式，描繪出從懷胎、生產，一路到育兒的心路歷程。透過質性的敘說研究，來深入探討女性在母職中經歷的各種育兒壓力和寂寞感受，在母職角色中，女性如何面對這些壓力與挑戰，並從中發展出調適壓力與寂寞感受的因應策略。研究參與者為五位育有孩子的母親，孩子年齡皆至少有一位已超過（含）六歲。研究者根據研究目的與問題擬定出訪談大綱，邀請研究參與者回憶並敘說其育兒故事與調適歷程，再透過質性研究中的敘事研究方法進行分析。本研究結果發現（一）女性在育兒階段會面臨到的育兒壓力，包含「感到陌生的適應挑戰」、「孤立無援的踏入育兒」、「新手媽媽的無經驗」、「身兼多職的女強人」、「面對二寶的挑戰」，以及「教養觀念大魔王」。（二）女性在育兒階段會面臨到的寂寞感受，包含「來自伴侶的寂寞感受」、「來自公婆的寂寞感受」以及「來自人際孤立的寂寞感受」。（三）女性在育兒階段的調適策略，包含「斷奶的決定」、「親職與家務上的分工」、「對另一半的肯定與欣賞」、「資源的運用」、「心態的調整」、「拉出彈性的界線」、「育兒的經驗累積」、「照顧自己，放下完美」以及「細細品味育兒的收穫與回饋」。

Abstract This study aims to explore the sources of stress and feelings of loneliness that women face during the parenting stage. Through the mothers’ self-narratives, the study depicts the emotional journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Using qualitative narrative research, the study delves deeper into the various parenting stresses and feelings of loneliness experienced by women in motherhood, examining how they cope with these challenges and develop adaptive strategies to manage stress and loneliness.The study participants were five mothers with at least one child aged six or above. Based on the research objectives and questions, the researcher developed an interview outline and invited participants to recall and narrate their parenting stories and adaptive processes. The study analyzed the narratives using qualitative research methods.The study findings indicate that (1) women face various parenting stresses during the parenting stage, including “the challenge of adapting to feeling unfamiliar,” “entering parenting alone,” “inexperienced new mothers,” “multi-role working women,” “facing the challenges of raising two children,” and “parenting ideology and pressure.” (2) Women experience feelings of loneliness during the parenting stage, including “loneliness from their partner,” “loneliness from in-laws,” and “loneliness from social isolation.” (3) Women adopt adaptive strategies during the parenting stage, including “weaning decisions,” “parenting and household division of labor,” “affirmation and appreciation for their partner,” “resource utilization,” “mental adjustment,” “setting flexible boundaries,” “accumulating parenting experience,” “taking care of oneself and letting go of perfection,” and “savoring the rewards and feedback of parenting.”