台灣祖父母的正向帶孫經驗

Taiwanese Grandparents’ Positive Experiences of Taking Care of Grandchildren

研究目的：過往探究祖父母教養的議題，常被限縮為隔代教養，關注的焦點為其負向效應。然而，現今有許多祖父母，與子女偕同照顧下一代，減輕子女在工作與家庭間兩忙的壓力。這些祖父母在帶孫上擁有更高的自主性，對於帶孫有想法、有方法、並且樂在其中。本論文探究祖父母的正向帶孫經驗及其影響因素。研究方法：本研究之研究對象為目前正在帶孫（1-6歲）、且有正向帶孫經驗的祖父母。透過台北及新北市保母系統、幼兒園、親子館及社區活動中心等招募，共訪談9位祖母及3位祖父，其中有3對為共同帶孫之祖父母。研究結果：正向帶孫有四個重要的元素：關係連結感、貢獻感、勝任感與自主感。同時，良好的代間關係是正向帶孫的基礎動機，祖父母的體力、角色單純及低負荷也為重要的基礎因素。正向帶孫的進階促進因素則涵蓋個人、家庭、社區及社會四個層面。研究結論：在少子化的現今，祖父母可以是優質的托育生力軍；在高齡化的趨勢下，帶孫可以是銀髮族活力老化的一個選項。建議政府在相關政策上持續支持祖父母帶孫，嘉惠於三代。

Purpose: Previous studies regarding grandparenting issues are commonly limited to skip-generation parenting and focus on its negative effects. However, it has now become quite common for grandparents to provide care for their grandchildren with the parents. These grandparents are autonomous. They know how to take care of the grandchild and enjoy the experience. This study identifies the positive experiences of these grandparents. Method: We interviewed 9 grandmothers and 3 grandfathers who had positive experiences as grandparents and who were currently taking care of their 1 to 6-year-old grandchildren. They were recruited from a baby sitters network, preschools and parent-child centers. Among the 12 participants were 3 pairs of grandparents who took care of their grandchildren together. Results: Positive grandparenting experiences entail 4 components: relationship connection, a sense of contribution, self-efficacy, and autonomy. A good intergenerational relationship is the motive for positive grandparenting. The health and energy of the grandparents is also a factor, as are task characteristics, such as being simple and undemanding. Advanced factors include personal, familial, community, and social dimensions. Conclusions: Grandparents can be a good resource for child care. Taking care of grandchildren can be good for seniors. This study suggests that the government supports grandparents in taking care of their grandchildren, which will promote the well-being of all three generations.