本研究的目的在於探究熟齡未婚女性教師對自我的觀感與定位，以及其對個人生活處境的感受，以期能呈現出其最真實的生活樣貌。針對研究的目的，本研究欲探討的主題有：一、瞭解未婚女性教師對個人目前單身的狀態所抱持的態度及感受；二、瞭解未婚女性所曾經經驗到的內在及外界的壓力與因應之道；三、瞭解未婚女性的情感經驗以及生活的重心；四、探討未婚女性在面對未來的生活有哪些準備或規劃。 本研究以立意取樣的方式邀請了四位三十五歲以上的未婚女性教師進行訪談，由於敘事研究乃是以人為主體，主要讓研究參與者得以從局內人的主觀敘事立場來描述他自己，因此，本研究採以「整體－內容」的方式，將研究參與者的生命故事如實呈現，並以此作為研究文本，並且用「類別－內容」為方法來進行分析。茲將研究結果歸納如下：一、單身生活的自在與自我肯認；二、原生家庭與單身生活的關係；三、單身者的憂懼與自我實現；四、單身生涯不可或缺的心理支持；五、年齡的差異影響其對未來規劃的具體性。 最後，研究者依據研究歷程提出本研究的反思，以供讀者及後續研究之參考。 The purpose of this study was to explore the self-identity and the lived experience of mature and never-married female teachers. it is anticipated that this study could present their aspect of life. Based on the purpose of this study, the objective of this study was to deal with the following issues:a. To explore the attitudes and feelings of mature and never-married female teachers at present in single situation. b. To realize the inner and outside pressure which mature and never-married female teachers experienced and their approaches of cope.c. To understand the affective experience and the living core of mature and never-married female teachers.d. To discuss how the mature and never-married female teachers prepare or plan for their future life. The study selected purposive interview samples of four mature and never- marriedfemale teachers over thirty-five years old. Because the participants’ stories were the main concept of this study, they were allowed to express their subjective descriptions as insiders. It took the way of narrative inquiry approach to understand their life experience. Hence, this study presented their life stories in the “Holistic-content ” way and analyzed their life experience in the way of“Categorical-content.” The main results were as follows: a. The participants felt free, unrestrained and with self-identity in their single life.b. The original family was related to the single life of the participants closely.c. The fears and self-actualization of the single were presented obviously.d. The need of mental support was substantially essential in single career.e. The effect of the age on their future plans is significant.Finally, the research process will be re-thought and provided as reference for readersand future related studies.
