Riding Out Adversities When Life Has Fallen: The Self-Determination Perspective on the Role of Older People’s Vitality

[[abstract]]本研究以自我決定觀點探究老人生命力，以三位富有生命力的女性老人為研究對象，主要目的在於探討老人生命歷程中的困境經驗、生命困境的形成與轉折，以及生命困境轉折中自我決定對老人生命力的影響。研究者採用敘說探究為研究方法，以半結構性深度訪談蒐集研究參與者的生命經驗。 研究結果發現：1.面對生命困境，化被動為主動；2.生命力是動態的過程；3.生命力要素包括覺察、歸屬感、擁抱脆弱與勇氣；4.自我決定激發生命力，生命力強化自我決定；5.促進社會改變，成為激發生命力、支持自我決定的環境。最後依據研究結果進行討論，提出建議供未來研究與實務工作者參考。[[abstract]]The purpose of this study aimed at exploring the self-determination perspective on the role of senior citizens’ vitality. The researcher invited 3 female senior citizens to participate in this study. The researcher applied the narrative inquiry to understand: (1) what adversities they have suffered in their lives, (2) what turning points they have encountered to ride out adversities, (3) how self-determination perspectives have impacted on the promotion of vitality. Semi-structure in-depth interviews were conducted by the researcher and guided by open-ended questions. The findings were as follows: (1) People with higher vitality tend to take active actions to overcome adversities. (2) Vitality is an active process instead of a static result. (3) There are four essential elements to vitality including the sense of awareness, belonging, vulnerability and courage. (4) Factors of self-determination evoke individuals’ vitality and vitality reinforces self-determination. (5) The counseling professionals advocate a supportive environment to benefit vitality and self-determination. The researcher provides further discussions and suggestions based on the findings.[[note]]博