The graft of life--A narrative research on the significant events and attachment in grandparent-grandchild families

• Main Authors: Shu-Jung Huang, 黃淑容
• Other Authors: Meei-Ju Lin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/28724845384722097804

碩士 === 國立花蓮師範學院 === 輔導碩士班 === 92 === The graft of life--A narrative research on the significant events and attachment in grandparent-grandchild families The purpose of this research was to investigate the significant events and attachment in grandparent-grandchild families. Through narrative study, this researcher traced the development of the attachment from grandparents and grandchildren relationships, to reveal the connections between grandparent-grandchild and the context of life situated. Four pairs of grandparent-grandchildren participated in this research─Yu and her grandma, Tung and grandpa, Yung and grandma, Haw and grandpa─all have been experiencing grandparent-grandchild family for over two years. After the consents to participate in this study were gained, intensive interviews were conducted by this researcher to open up participants’ narratives about their development of attachment, from the early stage, to the impacts that significant events in life created. This research employed qualitative methods in the investigation of the narratives, using “grafting,” a method of plant cultivation, as a metaphor for the grandparent-grandchild family model. The narratives were presented in holistic-content method, and the individual life story was interpreted with categorical-content analysis. To further explore the inner world of the grandparent-grandchild families, all texts were interpreted based on Bowlby’s attachment theory. Research results obtained through text interpretation were as follows: 1. The responsibility was increased on the grandparents’ side due to the lack of the middle generation. 2. Adult reciprocal attachment might occur during the grandparent’s illness. 3. The attachment varies between grandchildren to their grandpas and grandmas. 4. Economic subvention is often needed for a grandparent family. 5. The parenting style could be influenced by the society context and the attribution of the grandparent. 6. Close relatives and friends have influence on the grandparent-grandchild attachment. Moreover, reflections, suggestions and discussions of research results were given further to provide useful information and directions for future studies.