A Qualitative Study of Men’s Experience of Being a Father in Families with Childhood Disability

Vatne, Torun M.; Haukeland, Yngvild Bjartveit; Fjermestad, Krister W.

doi:10.1007/s10882-022-09847-8

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 46 publications

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“…(2023) reported that this population have stronger relationships with their mothers than with their fathers. Fathering in families with a child with CCN is scarcely mentioned in existing research (Vatne et al., 2023), which largely focuses on mothers' contributions (Smith et al., 2015; Swallow et al., 2012). We identified that fathers' enhanced involvement in managing the illness strongly affected the healthy siblings' lives.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Balancing on life's ladder: A meta‐ethnography of the existential experiences of siblings of children with complex care needs

Nygård,

Clancy,

Kitzmüller

2023

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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AimTo synthesize and interpret existing qualitative research on the existential experiences of siblings of children with complex care needs.DesignNoblit and Hare's interpretive meta‐ethnography.MethodsThe study has been registered in the international prospective register for systematic reviews (PROSPERO). Noblit and Hare's 7‐step procedure was followed and reciprocal translation was performed to analyse the data and develop a line of argument synthesis.Data SourcesA comprehensive systematic literature search of five databases, along with extensive manual searches, was completed in November 2022. The final sample comprised 18 studies published between 2010 and 2022.ResultsA line of argument, expressed through an overarching metaphor, “balancing on life's ladder”, illustrates the core findings of siblings' fluctuating experiences of existential well‐being, and encapsulates four third‐order themes: the emotional turmoil of siblings, interrupted family life, siblings strive to be themselves and siblings struggle to cope.ConclusionGrowing up with a sibling with complex care needs made children feel invisible, lonely and struggling to find the courage to cope. By adopting a lifeworld approach, nurses can become aware of healthy siblings' unmet needs. Future research is needed on how nurses can contribute to siblings' existential well‐being, in primary – and secondary health care settings.ImplicationsThe study provides insight into siblings' existential experiences and factors improving their well‐being, enabling nurses to provide a more optimized lifeworld‐led clinical practice.ImpactHealthcare, nursing education and practice should be informed by the knowledge of existential issues. Nurses are well‐positioned to work alongside families to provide family‐centered care. Our findings have implications for health policies tailored to the needs of children with chronically ill siblings.Reporting MethodThis review adheres to the Equator and improving reporting of meta‐ethnography (eMERGe) guidelines.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution, because the data comprised previously published studies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Balancing on life's ladder: A meta‐ethnography of the existential experiences of siblings of children with complex care needs

Nygård,

Clancy,

Kitzmüller

2023

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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Mental health in mothers and fathers of children with chronic disorders

Zahl,

Willemen,

Fredriksen

et al. 2024

PEC Innovation

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Parenting a child with a disability: Fathers’ perceptions of the couple relationship

Zahl,

Dale,

Fjermestad

et al. 2024

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

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Parents of children with a disability experience elevated levels of stress compared to parents of typically developing children, which represents a risk for their couple relationship. Research on families where a child has a disability is principally based on mothers. More knowledge is needed about the paternal perspective. We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven fathers (aged 36–54 years) of children with a disability (primary school age to early twenties). We analyzed the material using qualitative conventional content analysis, focusing on participants’ descriptions of couple relationships. We categorized the participants’ descriptions in two main categories: Couplehood and Co-parenting. Throughout the material, partners were described as romantic partners, co-parents, and collaborators. Participants described that couple communication and emotional expression within couples were affected by parenting a child with a disability. Moreover, participants described influence by cultural masculinity norms on their involvement as partners and parents, and on the dynamic within their couple relationships. An uneven division of labor was described. A practice implication is that communication and emotional expression styles within the parental couple should be a key focus when working with families of children with a disability. The findings also suggest more active involvement of fathers in children’s health care.

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A Qualitative Study of Men’s Experience of Being a Father in Families with Childhood Disability

Cited by 5 publications

References 46 publications

Balancing on life's ladder: A meta‐ethnography of the existential experiences of siblings of children with complex care needs

Balancing on life's ladder: A meta‐ethnography of the existential experiences of siblings of children with complex care needs

Mental health in mothers and fathers of children with chronic disorders

Parenting a child with a disability: Fathers’ perceptions of the couple relationship

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