人類發展分期與老年期研究之回顧─以台灣博碩士論文（1996-2012）為例

A Review of Human Development Stages and Studies on Aging: Data from Dissertations and Theses in Taiwan

本文旨在回顧人類發展分期與國內1996至2012年老年期博碩士論文，其中兒童期與青少年期的研究重點在發展現象與影響因素的年齡差異，而成人期（包括老年期）的研究重點則較偏重歷史事件、社會化經驗等對心智發展的影響。 在回顧國內1996年至2012年老年期的博碩士論文，我們發現，1996年有一篇論文完成，之後有零星篇數出現，直到2005年後，論文篇數才有持續性的成長。研究的議題雖有14類別，但仍不夠深入和寬廣。從採用的資料搜集之設計上，橫斷研究佔了97.5%，而縱貫研究僅有一篇（2.5%）而已。在未來的研究方向，建議有關單位多支持長期的縱貫研究，鼓勵跨領域的科技整合研究以及跨部會的醫療照護、人才培育和研究計劃的倡導，以期建立國內有關的老年期研究的各種資料庫。

 

The purpose of this article is to review the conceptualization of human development stages and empirical studies on aging conducted in Taiwanese dissertations and theses between 1996 and 2012. Research on childhood and adolescence tends to focus on age differences, while studies of adulthood tend to focus on the influence of historical events and socialization. A review of Taiwanese dissertation and master’s studies on aging shows that only one thesis was completed in 1996. However after 2005, there was an increase in studies on aging. These studies deal with a variety of topics, though they often do not provide sufficient depth or breadth. In addition, only one longitudinal study was reported during these 18 years. For future research, we strongly urge for more longitudinal studies and cross-ministry initiatives to coordinate medical care, human resource training, and research development, in order to establish databases of aging research in Taiwan.