Toward an Understanding of Mothering: The Care Giving Process of Mothers With

本研究之目的為探究自閉兒母親照護患兒的經驗。研究方法是以焦點團體的六位母親和深度訪談四位母親之方式收集資料，並以紮根理論中的持續性比較法分析資料，研究過程為研究者首先自參加焦點團體所討論關心的議題，發展出個別深入會談的大綱，再依此進行半結構式會談，每位（四位）母親經四至五次會談，每次進行60~90分鐘，資料再依這些文本及一次的焦點團體過程做分析，歸納出三個主題：（1）對患兒的感知；（2）照顧患兒關注的議題；（3）透過照護的意義對自我的詮釋。研究結果可協助醫護人員認識自閉兒母親為人母之經驗與過程，促進母親了解照護之意義與促進其健康。

關鍵字

母親照護；自閉症；自我；意義

並列摘要

The purpose of this study was to explore the care-giving experience of mothers with autistic children. In this qualitative study, a focus group and in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers with an autistic child to uncover the nature of their mothering experience. Data were analyzed for themes with the constant comparison approach of grounded theory. Three themes emerged: (a) the perception about their disabled child; (b) their special concerns for caring for this child and (c) reclaiming and discovering self through understanding the meaning of mothering. The results can help health workers to gain a deeper understanding of the care-giving process for mothers with an autistic child and facilitate mothers to find the meaning of care and their well-being.