Surrogate mothers: Aboriginal grandmothers raising grandchildren in Taiwan

Chang, Yu-Ting; Hayter, Mark

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences of Taiwanese aboriginal grandmothers when raising their grandchildren.Adopting a phenomenological approach, interviews were conducted with 15 Taiwanese aboriginal grandmothers who served as primary caregiver to a grandchild or grandchildren.Data were analyzed using Giorgi's phenomenological method.Four themes emerged from the data analysis, reflecting the parenting experience of grandmothers: using aged bodies to do energetic work: represented the physical effects of raising grandchildren; conflicting emotions: reflected the psychological effects of raising grandchildren; lifelong and privative obligation: described the cultural and societal beliefs of raising grandchildren; and coping strategies for raising grandchildren outlined methods the grandmothers used to cope with parenting their grandchildren.The results of this study offers insights into surrogate parenting within an underresearched group in Taiwan and will enable health care providers to be more aware of the physical, emotional, and social effects of the role of grandparent parenting.© The Author(s) 2011.

Citation

Chang, Y., & Hayter, M. (2011). Surrogate mothers: Aboriginal grandmothers raising grandchildren in Taiwan. Journal of Family Nursing, 17(2), 202-223. https://doi.org/10.1177/1074840711405527

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Apr 29, 2011
• Publication Date: 2011-05
• Deposit Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Journal: Journal Of Family Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1074-8407
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-549X
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 202-223
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1074840711405527
• Keywords: Family Practice; Community and Home Care
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/465210
• Contract Date: Nov 13, 2014