Constructing a Theory of Multicultural Care Practices: Realizing a Community Inclusive Society

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13984
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 08020:Social welfare-related
• Research Institution: Jumonji University
• Principal Investigator: NIHEI Sayaka 十文字学園女子大学, 人間生活学部, 准教授 (60453346)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 外国人介護職 / 異文化適応 / 意識変容 / 多文化理解 / インドネシア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study defined care practices that are carried out by care workers from multicultural backgrounds as “culturally inclusive care practices,” and proposed ways in which these practices can be carried out. The study clarified how the concept of care differs between Japan and other countries and the need to evoke a new concept of care that is in line with today’s global society. In doing so, it proposed the importance of having flexibility to transform conventional concepts and practices. Taking Indonesia as the target country, the study systematized information on its health care policy, personnel development, and social welfare system and how they relate to care practices in Japan. By focusing on foreign care workers and clarifying the structure of cross-cultural adaptation and changes in awareness, the study showed the importance of mutual understanding in practices carried out by multinational staff.

Free Research Field

高齢者福祉

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

外国人介護職の受入が推進されている今日、受入側である日本には、多文化を背景にもつ外国人介護職受入の体制構築への取り組みが社会的に求められている現状を背景として、本研究に取り組んだ。本研究において得られた知見は、グローバル化が急速に進むなか多文化における介護実践で重要とされている多文化理解の一助となり、介護サービスの質の担保に寄与することも期待される。また、外国人介護職に焦点化したインタビュー調査を実施したことから、実践現場の適応に際し抱える葛藤や不安等、解決していくべき課題も明らかとすることができた。また介護分野の視点から、共生社会の実現にむけた示唆を得ることに至った。