特殊需求兒童收養家庭之經驗

Abstract

本研究採用質性研究方法，透過半結構式深度訪談，訪談了7組收養特殊需求兒童的國內收養家庭。研究發現，在社會文化與福利政策的調整與支持下，願意收養特殊需求兒童的收養人跟過往相比展現出更高的心理準備與接納，包括對身心狀況、年齡、族群與原生家庭背景的包容，動機與期待逐漸轉向兒童福祉與社會責任的利他導向。隨著社會結構與收出養環境變遷，收養人為了增加媒合機會，對媒合條件的彈性提升，也表示著臺灣收養文化正朝向重視情感連結的方向深化與轉型。當被收養人進入家庭後，收養家庭主要經歷三個適應歷程：初期適應期，被收養人可能常伴隨夜哭、不當外顯行為及依附困難等挑戰，使收養家庭承受心理及生活壓力，甚至考慮退養。透過觀念調整及正式與非正式資源的協助，收養家庭可逐步穩定親子關係，降低適應壓力。進入關係建立期後，收養家庭與被收養人逐步建立情感連結，並發展依附關係，收養父母在持續的生活磨合中透過陪伴、溝通與一致的教養方式，結合內外部資源，進一步穩固親子關係。最終進入到穩定融合期，親子關係趨於穩定，家庭進入融合階段，被收養人逐漸將收養家庭視為真正的家，並建立長期歸屬感。最後，在促進特殊需求兒童的收養上，研究者建議，收出養機構需在媒合前強化收養人的心理預備與期待調整，媒合後提供情緒支持、教養資源與長期陪伴，建構穩定支持系統；政策面應提供彈性育嬰假與跨部門資源連結，減輕照顧負擔；並透過宣導翻轉社會對被收養人之刻板印象，提升收養家庭的信心與支持，以面對收養特殊需求兒童帶來的挑戰。This study employed a qualitative research approach, conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews with seven domestic adoptive families of children with special needs. The findings indicate that, with adjustments in social culture and support from welfare policies, adoptive parents who are willing to adopt children with special needs now demonstrate greater psychological preparedness and broader acceptance than in the past—including openness toward children’s physical and mental conditions, age, ethnicity, and birth family background. Their motivations and expectations have gradually shifted toward an altruistic orientation focused on child welfare and social responsibility. As social structures and the adoption landscape continue to evolve, adoptive parents are showing increased flexibility regarding matching conditions in order to enhance their chances of successful placement, reflecting a transformation in Taiwan’s adoption culture toward deeper emotional connections and relational commitment.After the child entering the adoptive family, the family typically goes through three main stages. In the initial adjustment stage, the adopted child may exhibit challenges such as night terrors, inappropriate externalizing behaviors, and difficulties forming attachments, which place psychological and daily life pressures on the adoptive family, sometimes even leading to considerations of disruption. Through mindset adjustment and support from both formal and informal resources, adoptive families can gradually stabilize the parent-child relationship and reduce adaptation stress. In the relationship-building stage, the adoptive family and child begin to form emotional bonds and develop attachment. Through ongoing daily interactions, consistent parenting strategies, open communication, and the integration of external resources, the parent-child relationship is further strengthened. Eventually, the family enters the stable integration stage, during which the parent-child relationship becomes more secure, and the family reaches a stage of cohesion. The adopted child gradually comes to see the adoptive family as their true home, establishing a lasting sense of belonging.To promote the adoption of children with special needs, the researcher recommends that adoption agencies strengthen adoptive parents’ psychological preparedness and expectation adjustment prior to matching, and provide emotional support, parenting resources, and long-term companionship after matching to establish a stable support system. On the policy level, the government should offer flexible parental leave and promote cross-sectoral resource integration to reduce caregiving burdens. Additionally, public awareness campaigns should aim to challenge and reshape societal stereotypes about adopted children, thereby enhancing adoptive families confidence and support in facing the challenges of adopting children with special needs.