緣與婚前關係的發展

Yuan and the Development of Premarital Relationships

本研究試圖探討緣（yuan）在夫妻關係形成的過程中所扮演的角色。研究者以50對新婚夫妻為對象，採訪談及繪製關係發展圖的方式，深入探討緣及其相關的概念在夫妻婚前互動過程中所產生的影響。研究者發現：大多數台灣年輕夫妻仍然相信緣分，或仍然採用緣的相關概念來解釋親密關係中的事件。現代台灣年輕夫妻的緣觀融合了「宿命」與「進取」的特質，雖然仍有不少人相信兩個人之間所形成的關係是由冥冥之中的力量或累世累積的因果所造成，但也有為數不少的受訪者強調或相信個人的意志與努力可以創造、控制或延續緣分。在關係發展的初期，緣的作用最大。初識之後，「有緣」的感覺，會使關係雙方的互動進展快速。即使只有其中一方有「與對方很有緣的感覺」，也會因為該當事人主動努力維持，而讓雙方關係得以持續。因此，初識之後「有緣」的感覺對婚前關係的穩定度有重要的影響。作為一套解釋華人人際關係的基模，緣的主要功能包括引發人際知覺及後續的行為，並在人際歷程中成為回溯與反思的工具。綜合而言，本研究的結果支持了楊國樞與李沛良等人對緣的理論觀點。最後，研究者並討論本研究的發現對東西人際關係的理論及研究的啟示。

This study investigated the role yuan (predestined relationship) plays in the development of premarital relationships. Interviews and graphing procedures were used with 50 newlywed Taiwanese couples to explore the influence of yuan and related concepts on the development of these couples' premarital interactions. The people interviewed in this study mentioned that in addition to its supernatural and passive elements, yuan also has active elements. The majority of people interviewed believed that yuan was most significant at the beginning of the development of their premarital relationship. After the initial acquaintance was made, the feeling of yuan caused the relationship to develop quickly, and produced the effect of a self-fulfilling expectancy. The feeling of yuan after the initial encounter may strengthen commitment to the marital relationship. Even when there were difficulties in the development of the relationships, the couples earnestly worked together to overcome the difficulties and allow their relationship to continue. The feeling of yuan after the first meeting had an important effect on the stability of the premarital relationship. As a schema for interpreting Chinese interpersonal relationships, the function of yuan included eliciting personal perception and subsequent behavior. It also serves as a tool for reflection. The implications of the concept of yuan on the theories and research findings concerning eastern and western interpersonal relationships are discussed.