飼主面對寵物非預期性死亡的經驗與心理調適歷程之研究

The Study on the Experience and Psychological Adjustment Process of Pet Owners who Facing the Unexpected Death of their Pets

郭皓玉(Hao-Yu Kuo)

指導教授 ： 張玉茹

國立暨南國際大學/教育學院/諮商心理與人力資源發展學系 輔導與諮商碩士班/碩士(2023年)

https://doi.org/10.6837/ncnu202300084

摘要

本研究旨在探討飼主面對寵物非預期性死亡的經驗、心理調適歷程，透過深度半結構式訪談瞭解研究參與者與其寵物的互動經驗以及寵物在飼主心中的角色定位，探究飼主面對寵物非預期性死亡事件時的反應和經驗，飼主在寵物死後所歷經的心理歷程變化及在這個歷程中如何去調適因應此失落和衝擊，最終非預期性喪寵事件對飼主生命歷程造成哪些的影響跟漣漪。
本研究採質性研究與現象學觀點，以半結構式深度訪談五位歷經寵物非預期性死亡的研究參與者，透過資料分析與整理，研究結果發現整理與歸納如下：
寵物飼主與寵物的互動關係發展與內心定位為：一、寵物作為穩定接納的依附客體，回應了飼主對情感連結的需求與匱乏，持續性、主責的飼養行為增強情感連結深厚度，寵物被飼養時跟飼主的年齡影響到情感連結發展；二、寵物角色定位取決於飼主內心對「寵物」的定義與情感變化，人寵關係的本質是生命與生命的相遇、相交與相惜。
飼主面對寵物非預期性死亡的經驗為：一、內在主要想法為不對勁、難以接受，內在主要情緒為驚愕、擔憂、無力、悲痛、混亂與抽離感，外在行為反應則是主動尋求資源協助；二、飼主內在秩序的平衡與關係連結因非預期性喪寵事件而被破壞，促發飼主對死亡與無常的無力感。
在寵物非預期性死亡後，飼主的心理調適歷程為：一、飼主於非預期性喪寵後的心理歷程具流動性，主要哀悼特徵為愧疚自責、痛苦、空虛與思念；二、非預期性喪寵是被褫奪的悲傷，亦是難以述說的悲痛；三、個體因應負面情緒的習慣影響非預期性喪寵之心理調適方式，自我覺察、情緒轉移與接納、關係支持乃主要有效的調適因應方式，遺忘、情緒抽離、物質使用、獨自處理亦具有功能性；四、再連結與持續性連結關係增加非預期性喪寵飼主內心慰藉與安定感。
研究者針對本研究結果加以討論，希冀根據此結果能提供寵物飼主、一般大眾與親友、醫療與喪葬專業人員、諮商專業與助人工作者，對於寵物非預期性死亡之主題有更多的瞭解和關注，並提供未來相關研究方向之參考建議。

關鍵字

寵物 ； 飼主 ； 非預期性死亡 ； 心理調適歷程

並列摘要

This study aims to explore the experiences and psychological adjustment processes of pet owners facing unexpected pet death. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews, we aim to understand the interactive experiences between participants and their pets, the role of the pet in the owner's heart. This study investigates the reactions and experiences of pet owners facing unexpected pet death events, the psychological process changes they experience after their pet’s death, and how they adapt to cope with the loss and impact caused by this unforeseen event. Ultimately, this study aims to examine the effects and ripple effects of unexpected pet loss events on pet owners’ life journey.
This study adopts a qualitative research approach with a phenomenological perspective, conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews with five research participants who have experienced unexpected pet death. Through data analysis and organization, the research findings are summarized and categorized as follows:
The development and internal positioning of the interaction between pet owners and their pets can be described as follows: Firstly, pets serve as a stable and accepting attachment object, responding to the owner’s need for emotional connection and lack thereof. Continuous and responsible pet care enhances the depth of emotional connection, and the age at which the pet is kept influences the development of emotional connection. Secondly, the pet’s role and positioning depend on the owner’s internal definition and emotional changes towards “pet,” and the essence of the human-pet relationship is the meeting, interaction and appreciation of life with life.

When faced with unexpected pet death, the owner’s experience can be described as follows: Firstly, the predominant internal thought is that something is not right and is difficult to accept, while the predominant emotions are shock, worry, powerlessness, grief, confusion, and a sense of detachment. The external behavioral response is actively seeking assistance from resources. Secondly, the balance of the owner’s internal order and relationship connections are disrupted by the unexpected loss, creating a sense of powerlessness towards death and impermanence.
The psychological adjustment process of pet owners after unexpected pet death is as follows: Firstly, the psychological process of pet owners after unexpected pet death is fluid, and the predominant mourning characteristics are feelings of guilt, self-blame, pain, emptiness, and longing. Secondly, unexpected pet loss is a mourning of deprivation, as well as an indescribable sadness. Thirdly, individual coping habits tend to influence the way in which owners adjust to negative emotions after unexpected pet loss. Effective coping mechanisms include self-awareness, emotional transfer and acceptance, and relationship support, while forgetting, emotional detachment, substance use, and self-processing are also functional methods. Fourthly, reconnection and continuous relationship connections increase the owner’s inner comfort and sense of stability after unexpected pet loss.
Based on the results of this study, the researchers hope to provide a better understanding and attention to the topic of unexpected pet death for pet owners, the general public, family and friends, medical and funeral professionals, counseling professionals, and helpers. Reference suggestions for future related research are also provided.

並列關鍵字

pet ； owners ； unexpected death ； psychological adjustment process

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