| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立屏東大學 === 教育心理與輔導學系碩士班 === 105 === The purpose of this research is to investigate the experiences of middle-aged people whose parents are diagnosed with cancer. This research adopts a narrative inquiry approach to delve into the lives of 3 middle-aged women aged 40 to 50. An interviewing method was adopted to collect data. The results are presented as stories and a holistic content analysis approach was applied to conduct analysis and discussion. The results of this research are as follows:
1. The changing of roles for middle-aged offspring in family cause by parental cancer.
Middle-aged people’s gradually steady life and work are shaken due to their parent receiving cancer. The first matter under influence was the changing of roles between the parents and the middle-aged offspring. This appears to have flipped their roles behavior and mentally. The duration of the reverse of roles is affected by the illness and the condition of the parent, the severity of the complications, the relapse of the cancer as well as the abundance of the support system.
The cultural norms placing a high value on family and filial obligations influence the roles of middle-aged caregiver. The identity of middle-aged offspring, which includes gender, marital status and birth order, all play a role in determining the level of responsibility of the caregiver.
2. No obvious influence on developing tasks found on middle-aged offspring with parental cancer.
Middle-aged offspring have to make some adjustment to adapt to the parental cancer. The difficulty of the adjustment relates to the dependence on the parent before cancer. Whether the middle-aged offspring’s stage of development changes is affected by the changes of her family role during the parental cancer.
3. Parental cancer urges the middle-aged offspring to contemplate a new attitude towards life.
After experiencing parental cancer, middle-aged offspring have a more profound way of thinking and new perceptions of life. This includes becoming more firm on original values: doing good things without expectations; original expectations shattered: the reality of seeking independence and not relying on other people; developing new beliefs: learning the importance of physical and mental health, connecting with loved ones, letting go and forgiving others, positive attitudes towards life, accepting fate.
According to the study findings, the researcher proposed suggestions for counseling practices and further research.
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