非親似親的愛-安置機構保育員替代性親職經驗探究

Abstract

本研究目的在於了解資深保育員在職場的經驗、轉折及心路歷程，並探究不同保育員對於替代性親職的角色定位、體認與調適經歷。為瞭解保育員內在心聲，研究者採用質性研究中的深入訪談法，以半結構式訪談進行研究。三位保育員來自不同安置機構，其服務之年資達5年以上，最資深者逾20年。本研究之研究結果如下： 一、保育員以關懷弱勢兒童為使命 保育員雖然有福利方面之需求，但皆以照顧弱勢為己任。 二、保育員的專業資源需求較高 心理輔導是實務所需的專業，專業要求帶來助益卻也產生部分困擾。 三、保育員的角色游移於「媽媽」或「老師」之間 保育員視其角色為母職，但必要時調整其定位為「老師」。 四、保育員與院童關係建立與維持不易 保育員與孩子的情感可能超越親情，然而互動關係不易建立與維持。 五、院童情緒問題為主要壓力來源 對於情緒控制力不佳的孩子，保育員需要覺察力與敏銳度。 六、公私領域之困擾 多數保育員認為私生活不應受工作干擾，工作與生活之間需要平衡。 七、信仰與支持為動能 信仰、心理諮商與支持網絡為動力來源，協助保育員調適壓力。

本研究建議保育員進入職場前做好長期工作之預備，調適自我以培養良好互動關係；安置機構也應提供親職知能與心理輔導的專業訓練，建立輔導機制、支持團體、重視其心理與未來之發展，協助保育員能穩定工作，並依年齡差別調整小家型態，讓三歲以下幼兒有類家庭式的照顧，而較年幼兒童也有充足的關照，能在適齡適性的環境中成長。The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences, career-related turning points, and mental states of senior childcare workers in residential settings as well as to investigate the different ways in which childcare workers regard their roles as substitute parents in terms of their status, emotional responses, and adaptation methods. In order to accurately represent the participants’ inner thoughts, the researcher used an in-depth interview based on qualitative research and conducted semi-structured interviews. In addition, the three participants came from different residential settings, one of whom has served for more than five years, while the most senior has served for over twenty years. The following are the findings of this study: 1.They have a mission to care for vulnerable children. Although the participants are all in need of welfare assistance, however, they also consider it their responsibility to care for vulnerable children. 2.There is a high demand for professional resources. Psychological counseling is the most essential skill care workers need and while professional requirements provide some assistance in this area, however, they also bring about other difficulties. 3.They take on the roles of both "mother" and "teacher". The terms that the childcare workers use to self-identify are all related to motherhood, though some of them switch their titles to "teacher". 4.It is not easy to establish and maintain the relationships. The emotional bond between childcare workers and the children can surpass familial affection, however, such interactive relationships are not easy to establish and maintain. 5.The main sources of stress for the participants are the children’s emotional problems. When dealing with children who have difficulties controlling their emotions, childcare workers require great awareness and sensitivity. 6.It is difficult to maintain balance between the public and private spheres. Most of the childcare workers believe that work should not interfere with their private lives and so they must balance their work and home lives. 7.Faith and support provide energy for the work. Faith, psychological, and support networks act as sources of energy for the childcare workers, and also help them adapt to their work pressures.

This study suggests that childcare workers should prepare themselves for long-term work before they enter the residential settings, and adjust themselves to cultivate positive interactions with the children. The residential institution should also provide professional training in parenting skills and psychological counseling, set up counseling and support groups, as well as pay attention to the workers’ development and mental health, in order to provide childcare workers with a stable work environment. Moreover, the children are placed in groups according to their ages, however, children under the age of three require more care. Therefore, groups with younger children should include more childcare workers so that children in all age ranges receive the best quality of care.