Loving the Vulnerable Children：A Study on Substitute Parenting Experiences of Childcare Workers in Residential Settings

• Main Authors: Jhuang, Yun-Fen, 莊耘棻
• Other Authors: Ho, Huoey-Min
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/kq9958

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 人類發展與家庭學系 === 105 === 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.