Stressors and Barriers to Services for Immigrant Fathers Raising Children with Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

This narrative review examines research on the experiences of immigrant fathers raising children with developmental disabilities, and considers the findings within the Canadian context. Applying Green, Johnson & Adams’ (Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 5(3), 101–117, 2006) methodology, a step-by-step process was followed to conduct the review. Four databases (PsychINFO, PubMed, CINAHL and Sociological Abstracts) were used for the search. A total of 39 articles were found to be relevant after applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Also 20 articles from published reference lists and peer-reviewed journal articles, located through Google Scholar, complimented the initial search. Along with House’s (1981) four dimensions of social support, an intersectional approach underpinned the analysis of findings. Four themes were identified which included: economic challenges, social influences, cultural influences, and the changing gender roles of fathers. Stressors and barriers to accessing health services in the post-migration setting were examined. Based on the review’s findings, the paper recommends 1) addressing income inequality, 2) improving access to health care, social and developmental services, 3) improving cultural-sensitivity of health care, social and developmental services, and 4) increasing participation of fathers. Overall, a more systemic understanding of immigrant fathers’ experiences is called for, taking into account their multiple social locations.

Mothering children with developmental disabilities: A critical perspective on health promotion

“…The mothers' psychological and physical health are negatively impacted, with mothers experiencing increased stress, burn-out, and other health ramifications. Elsewhere we have reported that immigrant parents of children with disabilities in Canada generally experience significant challenges in structural support, instrumental support, emotional support, and perception of support (Khanlou et al, 2015a(Khanlou et al, , 2015b. Our current study further supports this, as we found that mothers' health was viewed as holistic and tied to family health.…”

Challenges, Coping, and Resilience Among Immigrant Parents Caring for a Child With a Disability: An Integrative Review

“…Attending medical appointments for a child with a disability was a challenge due to inconvenient public transportation. This is of special relevance because new immigrant families often settled in peripheral suburbs where the rent was cheaper, but health and social services were mainly located in the city center (Khanlou, Haque, et al, ; Khanlou, Mustafa, et al, ).…”

“…Parents were isolated from their extended family and community (Blanche et al, ). Khanlou, Mustafa, and colleagues () found that immigrant parents felt strongly that they were social outcasts not only by the community, but by their families, who tended to blame them for their child’s condition.…”

“…When immigration and disability are considered concurrently, restrictions multiply and result in a challenging experience for the parents and the whole immigrant family (Khanlou, Mustafa, Vazquez, Haque, & Yoshida, ). With increasing global immigration, children with disabilities have immigrated with their parents.…”

Mindfulness and parenting distress among parents of children with disabilities: A literature review

“…Having a child with developmental disability imposes a severe burden on parents. 1 Examples of problems associated with parenting a child with a developmental disability may include difficulties in responding to child behavior problems, 2 stigma among family caregivers, 3 financial and social barriers, 4 and difficulties in preparing the child during transitional periods such as transition to school. 5 Disabilities in children may include but are not limited to autism spectrum disorder, learning disability, chronic cognitive or health impairment, and attention deficit disorder.…”