探究圖形溝通符號(PCS)象徵度與獨特性的關聯性: 以健康老年人為例

臺灣人口老化日漸嚴重，老化造成老年人參與社區據點懷舊治療活動時出現溝通困難或中斷，可藉由符號來支持訊息分享和需求表達。符號選擇考慮象徵度和獨特性等因素，圖形溝通符號(PCS)為國際及臺灣廣泛使用的溝通符號，本研究探究老年人覺知PCS的象徵度與獨特性之關聯性，共招募30位(15位男性和15位女性)65歲以上健康老年人。本研究參考溝通輔具C款Go Talk32+和D款Go Talk Express32以32格呈現目標語彙(32個名詞、32個動詞)，並隨機排列目標語彙對應之PCS，最後編制「PCS象徵度及獨特性評量」，研究者再請研究對象指認出覺得對應隨機目標語彙的PCS，最後，以卡方獨立分析PCS象徵度和獨特性之關聯性。研究發現不同詞性指示物PCS影響老年人覺知PCS的象徵度及獨特性，老年人覺知名詞PCS象徵度與獨特性未有顯著關聯，然而老年人覺知動詞指示物PCS象徵度與獨特性有顯著關聯。本研究依據結果提出三項研究限制及三項研究建議，並提出三項學術貢獻及兩項臨床貢獻，最後，本研究可作為專業人員日後提供老年人懷舊治療時之參考依據，並提醒專業人員在選擇不同詞性PCS時需考慮到象徵度及獨特性，由於本研究僅納入健康老年人為研究對象，未來可根據本研究探討溝通障礙的老年人族群覺知PCS的表現，進而提升整體老年人在日常生活中的溝通。

Taiwan’s population is rapidly aging, and aging has caused communication difficulties or interruptions among older adults participating in reminiscence therapy activities at community centers. Symbols are often required to support message sharing and expression of needs. The selection of symbols considers factors such as iconicity and distinctiveness. Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) are widely used both internationally and in Taiwan. This study investigates the relationship between the' perception of PCS iconicity and distinctiveness by older adults. A total of 30 healthy older adults 65 years and older (15 males and 15 females) were recruited. This study referred to communication aids, version C (Go Talk32+) and version D (Go Talk Express32), and used 32-grid layouts to present target vocabulary (32 nouns and 32 verbs). PCS corresponding to the target vocabulary were randomly arranged. A “PCS Iconicity and Distinctiveness Assessment” was developed. Participants were asked to identify the PCS that best corresponded to the items randomly given. Finally, a chi-square independence test was conducted to analyze the relationship between PCS iconography and distinctiveness. The study found that different grammatical categories of PCS affect older adults’ perception of PCS iconicity and distinctiveness. There was no significant relationship between older adults ' perception of noun PCS iconicity and distinctiveness. However, there was a significant relationship between the iconicity and distinctiveness of verb PCS as perceived by older adults. Based on the results, this study proposes three research limitations and three research recommendations, as well as three academic contributions and two clinical contributions. Ultimately, this study may serve as a reference for professionals providing reminiscence therapy to older adults and reminds them to consider the iconicity and distinctiveness of PCS across different grammatical categories. Since this study included only healthy older adults, future research may explore PCS perception among older adults with communication disorders, thereby enhancing overall communication among older adults in daily life.