從支持性團體歷程分析看自閉兒母親的轉變

The Change of Mothers With Autistic Children: From Analyzing the Process of Support Group

本研究目的在藉由支持團體的形式分析團體歷程，以瞭解支持性團體如何帶動母親調整自我及重新建構自己與環境的關係，以質性研究法探討八位母親在支持性團體中的歷程變化。團體以半結構的方式進行討論，每次團體進行九十分鐘，共計十次。每次團體討論全程以錄音帶及錄影帶來收集資料，資料分析以內容分析法進行。結果為分析母親在照顧自閉兒過程中的內在轉換歷程，包括從面對生命自我看法的轉換─美夢幻滅、走出陰霾、撥雲見日與尋求外援；面對家庭的轉換─扭轉乾坤與承擔責任；面對社會的轉換─尊重生命；透過團體歷程分析結果呈現母親從自閉兒的出生開始，與自己及家庭系統中夫妻、親屬、親子與外界互動的轉變與影響。研究結果可作為醫護相關人員對照護者需求的指引，及提供介入措施的依據及參考。

The purpose of this study was to analyze the processes by which support groups assist mothers with autistic children, in order to understand how mothers adapt themselves and reestablish relationships within the environment of the support group. In this qualitative study, eight mothers were recruited to form a support group. The group met for 10 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. All the sessions were recorded in full on both audio and video tape. The data were analysed by the content analysis method. The results were used to analyze the process of change within mothers who took care of their autistic children, including transitions involving the termination of a fond dream, emerging from confusion, finding hope and seeking help; facing the family - reversing the course of events and taking responsibility; facing society - respecting life. The results show the changes in mothers caused by the group experience and the effects on them of interaction between themselves and their spouse, relatives and the autistic child since the time of the child’s birth. The results should help health workers to gain a deeper understanding of mothers with autistic children.