關鍵詞：中年女性、讀書團體、自我概念、讀書治療 Abstract: This study aims to explore the middle-age women''s motivation to participate reading groups. And it also covers the changes and the progresses of their self-concept in reading groups. The interviewees in this study are 3 middle-age women each had spent 7, 8 and 10 years to participate in reading groups. The transcripts are recorded from 3 or 4 times in-depth interviews with semi-structured method. The findings are concluded by analyzing and conceptualizing these interview transcripts based on grounded theory. The so-called self-concept in this study consists of self- characterization, relationship interaction, attitude toward problems and life goals.
The five findings summarized in this study are: 1) The middle-age women''s initial motivation for reading group is to equip their capabilities of adopting the developmental task in mid-term family life. Their mental needs under consciousness which were stimulated during the participation in reading groups is further inspired providing the motive power of sustainability for reading groups. 2) Participation in a reading group helps the middle-age women transforms self-characterization into the one with opener mind, more willing to express herself, more straightforward talking, more confidence, and self-esteem. 3) Participation in a reading group helps the middle-age women to improve their relationships with relatives and friends. It particularly makes the middle-age women realize their friendship complex, the knot between mother- and daughter-in-law and father-daughter complex in the past, so the interaction with each other became smoother and the relationships got closer. 4) Participation in a reading group helps the middle-age women to transform their attitude toward problems into introspective self-reflection and to gradually establish their abilities of problem-solving. 5) Participation in a reading group supports the middle-age women in cognizing and confirming their life goals and makes them become more considerate.
Finally, According to the above conclusions, this research provides the suggestions against the positioning of groups, the leader of reading goup, the bibliotherapy group for middle-aged females, and the following research.
