本論文的研究目的是探討單身老年女性在其喪偶或離婚之後發展的親密關係，希望藉由單身老年女性的自身經驗，來理解她們對親密關係的詮釋，以及她們在親密關係中的感受，從「本質」、「發展」及「影響因素」來了解單身老年女性親密關係的生命經驗。 本研究使用質性取向的研究方法，以半結構式的深度訪談進行資料蒐集，計8名有效樣本，年齡介於62到87歲之間，5名居住在台北市，3名分別居住在桃園縣、台中市及苗栗縣，主要研究結果如下： 一、從受訪者對親密關係的成分、表達形式、以及感受等三部分可知單身老年女性親密關係的本質：（1）「關懷」、「共同性」及「欣賞」為單身老年女性親密關係的主要成分。（2）「一個人孤單」及「兩個人有伴」是單身老年女性重新作伴的原因；親密關係的表達形式可分為日常生活的內容及具愛情或性意涵的言語及行為。（3）「談戀愛的浪漫」、「過日子的平凡實在」及「交朋友的恩深義重」則是單身老年女性在親密關係中三種主要感受。 二、從受訪者與男友交往過程中親密關係的緣起（從獨立到結合）、發展脈絡（從結合中求獨立）、延續（從獨立中找到契合）來探討單身老年女性親密關係的發展可知：（1）「旁人促成」及「機緣巧合」是單身老年女性親密關係緣起之因。（2）「自主」及「自由」是單身老年女性親密關係發展脈絡的依循路線，可藉由設立界線以調和親密及獨立的兩難困境。（3）「對方值得」及「自己想開」是單身老年女性親密關係延續的基礎，前者即是親密關係成分中持續付出關懷的動力；後者即是老年時期中懂得活在當下的智慧。 三、從受訪者對自身親密關係的詮釋可知單身老年女性親密關係發展的影響因素有5：（1）「雙方的條件」透過共同性及自主性對單身老年女性的親密關係發展造成影響。（2）「前段婚姻的陰影」對親密關係的影響不一定導致她們不願再次擁有親密關係，而是讓她們認知到自己要如何為這樣的產物做好準備，找出新的親密關係定位。（3）「子女的態度」會影響關係如何而非影響關係有無，最終決定權還是在單身老年女性的手上。（4）「信仰的力量」是在親密關係不順遂時可影響她們的認知，使其能夠轉換念頭，改變看待關係的心態，故讓親密關係得以延續。（5）「社會的觀感」對單身老年女性的親密關係有既定框架，她們認知到框架，並且有勇氣及韌性獲得自身詮釋權以安然於親密關係中。 / The purpose of this study is to investigate the development of single elderly women’s intimate relationships after they became widows or got divorced. By exploring their self-experience, we can understand the way they interpret their intimate relationships and their feelings within these relationships. In this study, we view things from three dimensions —“the nature, the development, and the factor”—to inspect their life experience in these intimate relationships. The methodology applied in this study was based on quantitative method, and data were collected by semi-structured in-depth interviews. Total 8 valid samples aged between 62 to 87 years old were gathered, among which there are 5 living in Taipei as well as 3 in Taoyuan, Taichung, and Miaoli separately. Research results show as below: 1.Interviewers’ points of view on element, expression, and perception of their intimate relationship showed the nature of single elderly women’s intimate relationship: (1) “Careness, commonality, and appreciation” are the major elements that compose single elderly women’s intimate relationship. (2) “Being alone and lonely” as well as “being coupled and accompanied” are two reasons that why single elderly women would like to have a company again. Moreover, the ways to express their intimate relationships can be divided into actions of daily life and speech or behavior that imply love and sex. (3) “The romance of falling in love” and “the reality of getting on a life” as well as “the gratitude and loyalty of being friends” consist of the main sensation in single elderly women’s intimate relationship. 2.The process of interviewers’ relationships with their boyfriends, such as how it started, in what context it developed, and why to continue, showed that: (1) “Being motivated by others” and “the right opportunity” are the reasons to start the relationships. (2) “Autonomy” and “liberty” are the paths these relationships follow, according to which the boundaries can be placed so that the dilemma of being intimate or being independent can be coordinated. (3) “They worth it” and “looking on the bright side” are the basis to keep the relationship going; the former is the motivation to care and the latter is the wisdom to live in the present in their late in life. 3.Interviewers’ interpretations of self-experience in these relationships revealed that there are 5 factors that affect the development of those relationships: (1) “Conditions of both sides” affect these relationships through commonality and autonomy. (2) “Bad memory from previous marriage” does not necessarily make them not willing to have a relationship again, rather it causes them realize what preparation should they make for it and find out new definition of intimate relationship. (3) “The attitude of children” may affect how the relationship will be but can not decide whether the relationship will continue; the final call is held in the elderly women’s hands. (4) “The power of belief” can influence their recognition during their hard times and make them change their point of views on these relationships so as to keep these relationships on. (5) “The standpoint of the public” set single elderly women in certain conventional frames. Although these women recognize these frames, they have courage and toughness to gain self-interpretation to feel free from worry in these relationships.