已婚聽障者婚前擇偶經驗之探討

The Mate Selection of Married Hearing-Impaired

本研究旨在探討已婚聽障者的婚前擇偶經驗。本研究邀請五位已婚之中度或重度聽障者（三位女性及二位男性，年齡介於28至38歲之間），接受半結構性的訪談；訪談資料則依循質性研究開放性編碼的原則進行分析。本研究結果先呈現五位已婚聽障者個別婚前的擇偶經驗故事，並針對聽障者擇偶經驗的共同影響因素進行討論，包括：（一）因應聽障相關議題是擇偶經驗的顯著主軸：（1）聽障成為被拒絕的門檻條件；（2）因聽障而受挫的人際交往經驗，促發低自我評價或對結婚的務實期待；（3）因聽障而受限的溝通方式，列為優先考慮的條件；（4）滿足因聽障產生的心理需求，催化感情的發展與穩定。（二）家庭與社會相關因素具有直接與間接的影響力：（1）家庭的涵養及對家人的重視，是重要關鍵；（2）聽障友人的經驗左右擇偶態度；（3）空間因素和交友管道決定聽障者擇偶機會；（4）擇偶模式反映傳統性別差異。（三）多元實際因應擇偶困境而終成家：（1）調整認知、接受現實並諒解他人立場；（2）轉移注意與重心，以避免深陷痛苦；（3）質疑偏見並展現彈性自信；（4）積極溝通、尋求認同，減少對立衝突。這些影響聽障者擇偶的因素之間有其循環互動關係，雖然一般人與身心障礙者的擇偶經驗重疊，但也有其獨特性，特別是處於擇偶的弱勢位置，仍為不得不面對的挑戰。最後，本研究尚針對未婚聽障者及未來研究方向提出建議。

This study investigated premarital mate selection experience among the married hearing-impaired. Five married adults (2 males & 3 females between 28 to 38 years of age) with medium to severe hearing impairment participated in a semi-structured interview. Open coding method was applied to analyze collected data. Individual experiences in mate selection of the five married hearing-impaired were presented. Factors affecting their mate selection include the following：(1). Hearing impairment and related issues were salient topics in mate selection: (a) Hearing impairment was a ground for rejection; (b) setback in relationships led to low self-esteem and realistic expectation for marriage; (c) communication styles of the hearing impaired was considered a prerequisite for mate selection; and (d) satifsfying psychological needs of hearing impairment facilitated development and stability of intimate relationship. (2). Family and social relations had both direct and indirect influences on mate selection: (a) Family cutivation and respection to family menbers’ opinions were considered critical factors; (b) experiences of hearing-impaired friends had impact on mate selection perspectives; (c) mate selection opportunities were determined by physical space and social comection; and (d) mate selection styles reflected traditional gender differences. (3) Diverse and realistic coping strategies were needed to overcome mate selection difficulties toward successful marriage: (a) Adjust cognitions， accept reality and be accommodating of others’ perspectives; (b) divert attention and focus to avoid being painful; (c) confront prejudice， stay flexible and assertive; and (d) proactively seek communications and acceptance， and minimize conflicts. These factors had cyclical and interactive relationships with one another. Some of these factors were not different from that of non-hearing-impaired people， while others were unique to the hearing impaired， especially inevitable challenges from being a minority in mate selection situations. Recommendations for the hearing impaired singles and future research were proposed.