本研究由關係的觀點,描述台灣女性於不孕診斷確立後,因不孕症影響其人生各層面關係的經驗,包括與自我、配偶、家庭、家族、朋友與他人、和社會文化的關係互動經驗。十三位女性參與者平均年齡為32.46歲,均為原發性不孕症患者,平均結婚6.38年,且曾在台灣南部一家醫學中心的不孕症治療中心接受治療,已完成至少一次不孕療程,平均接受不孕醫療的時間約4.27年。本研究採取現象學質化分析的方法,進行深度訪談與資料分析。研究發現女性關係連結為網狀多層面交互連結,負面情緒、同理性與相互性影響關係連結情況。台灣不孕女性的關係連結與社會文化特色密切相關,女性因不孕經歷各種層面的關係變化,經歷關係的急性失連與慢性失連的情況,並掙扎於各層面關係的重新建立。而時間點、不孕診斷與治療情況及個人接受程度影響關係連結的轉化歷程。作者最後探討相關實務、研究、與教育訓練的議題。
The purpose of this study was to describe Taiwanese female patients' perspectives of the relational changes toward self, spouse, family, extended family, friends and others, and sociocultural characteristics after being diagnosed with primary infertility. Thirteen female patients from the middle or higher socioeconomic class in southern Taiwan voluntarily participated in this study. They averaged 32.46 years old, 6.38 years' marriage, and 4.27 years of infertility medical treatment. A phenomenological qualitative research method with in-depth interviews was employed. The study found that infertile women's relationship connections revealed a multi-layered network and were affected by the accumulation of their negative emotions and the acquisition of empathy and mutuality from others. The changes of relationship connections were deeply influenced by the societal and cultural characteristics in Taiwan. Infertility significantly influenced the relationships of infertile women in multiple aspects, and these participants suffered from three stages of relational changes: acute disconnection, chronic disconnection, and relational reconstructions. The transformation of infertile women's relationship connections depended on the timing, the status of infertility diagnosis and treatment, and the acceptance of infertility. Finally, implications of clinical practice, education/training and research were delineated.