Menarche and Menstruation through the Eyes of Pubescent Students in Eastern Taiwan: Implications in Sociocultural Influence and Gender Differences Issues

台灣東部青春期學生之初經與月經觀點－社會文化與性別觀點

10.1097/JNR.0b013e3182829b26

張玉婷(Yu-Ting Chang)；林美玲(Mei-Ling Lin)

月經 ； 青春期 ； 質性研究 ； 社會文化觀點 ； 性別差異 ； menstruation ； pubescent ； qualitative research ； sociocultural perspectives ； gender differences

The Journal of Nursing Research

21卷1期（2013 / 03 / 01）

10 - 18

英文

背景：月經相關文獻指出，月經涵蓋生理發展、心理變化、性別差異及社會文化內涵等多層面的概念。目的：本研究目的在瞭解在台灣東部的社會文化脈絡下，青春期學生如何建構個人之月經觀點。方法：本研究為質性設計，以焦點團體訪談進行資料收集。以花蓮地區二所國小高年級學生為對象，共20位女生與27位男生參與訪談，組成9個焦點團體，總計進行19次焦點團體討論。訪談過程經錄音與觀察紀錄後，以質性分析軟體Altas V 5.0版進行編碼、分類和歸納分析。結果：本研究顯示，在台灣東部地區之社會文化架構影響下，青春期學生對月經之詮釋雖呈現明顯性別差異，卻建構出「在矛盾中努力成長」之主題。初經與月經觀點於社會、學校和家庭氛圍中，被青少年（女）解釋為「含糊不清的」、「被忽略的」、「骯髒的」、「私人的」和「成長的」事件。結論／實務應用：本研究結果具體呈現在台灣東部的社會文化影響下，青春期學生面對月經事件的矛盾與掙扎。建議未來在月經教育針對不同性別，擬定有效之月經諮詢、學校性教育以及健康促進策略。

Background: Menstruation is a significant part of women's lives. It has been studied from many perspectives to draw various conclusions about biological and physiological development, gender differences, and sociocultural environments. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how male and female pubescent students perceive and interpret menarche and menstruation and how their perceptions reflect gender differences and the sociocultural environment in eastern Taiwan. Methods: This was an exploratory qualitative study that employed focus group interviews. Data were collected from 20 girls and 27 boys, aged 10-12 years, who were recruited from two elementary schools. Participants engaged in 19 focus group discussions, which lasted 45-60 minutes each. Discussion transcripts were collected, encoded, categorized, and analyzed using the Atlas V 5.0 software. Results: The central theme in menarche and menstruation experiences among pubescent students in eastern Taiwan can be summarized as, ”Struggling to grow up amidst contradictions,” an attitude that reflects gender divisions and sociocultural representations and practices. Generally, participants' views on menstruation fell within five subthemes: ”Ambiguous,” ”Disregarded,” ”Dirty,” ”Personal,” and ”Transitional.” These themes were analyzed within the contexts of society, school, and family. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: In line with previous research, this study shows the need for more individual reproductive health consultations, reliable sex education, and well-planned health policies to assist pubescent students manage menstruation. In addition, this study suggests that the subjugation of girls and women remains a critical issue that must be addressed and challenged.

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