無形的架構？社會標籤如何重塑長者的自我效能感

Against the backdrop of Macau’s rapidly ageing population, this study investigates the mechanisms through which negative social labelling influences older adults’ sense of self-efficacy. Labels such as “useless in old age” and “dependent on others” frequently appear in both public and family contexts, potentially constraining older adults’ self-perceptions and social participation. Adopting a qualitative research design, this study conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 17 older adults aged 60–82 in Macau between May and August 2025. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis. Four key themes emerged: (1) the dual forms of explicit and implicit labelling and their internalisation processes; (2) the bidirectional mechanism of efficacy decline and growth, with “three consecutive successful experiences” identified as a critical turning point for rebuilding confidence; (3) a spectrum of coping strategies ranging from passive withdrawal to active resistance, shaped by initial efficacy levels, health status, and peer support; and (4) the buffering or reinforcing roles of multi-layered environments, including family, community, and media. On this basis, the study developed a conceptual model linking “labelling forms—efficacy change—coping strategies—environmental modulation,” highlighting the dynamic pathways through which social labels shape older adults’ psychology and behaviour. The study concludes with multi-level practical recommendations, such as reducing implicit labelling in design, creating opportunities for cumulative success, fostering peer-support networks, and enhancing intergenerational interaction and community empowerment. These findings not only enrich scholarly debates on self-efficacy theory, symbolic interactionism, and ecological systems theory, but also provide actionable insights for elder policy and social practice in Macau.

本研究以澳門社會快速邁入高齡化為背景，聚焦於「社會負面標籤」對長者自我效能感的影響機制。隨着「年老無用」「依賴他人」等標籤在公共與家庭語境中不斷出現，長者的自我認知與社會參與受到潛在限制。本研究採用質性研究方法，於2025年5月至8月間訪談17位年齡介乎60至82歲的澳門長者，並以Braun與Clarke（2006）提出的主題分析法進行資料整理與歸納。研究結果提煉出四個核心主題：（1）負面標籤的顯性與隱性形態及其內化機制；（2）自我效能感的消退與增長的雙向機制，其中「三次成功體驗」為信心轉折的臨界點；（3）長者應對標籤的被動退縮與主動反駁光譜，受初始效能感、健康狀況及同伴支持影響；（4）家庭、社區與媒體等多層環境的緩衝與強化作用。基於上述發現，本研究構建了「標籤形態—效能感變化—應對策略—環境調節」的概念模型，揭示了社會標籤對長者心理與行為的動態影響路徑。研究最後提出多層次的實踐建議，包括減少隱性標籤設計、創造可累積的成功體驗、建立同伴支持網絡、優化代際互動及社區賦能機制。本研究不僅回應了自我效能理論、符號互動論及生態系統理論的學術討論，也為澳門的長者政策與社會實踐提供了可操作的參考依據。