The experiences of Dutch fathers on fathering children with disabilities: ‘Hey, that is a father and his daughter, that is it’

Abstract

Background Due to a predominant focus on mothers, fathers of children with disabilities are greatly overlooked in research. One could argue that there is a lack of research on the multifaceted nature of fatherhood altogether. Therefore, this study aims to gain insight into the perceived experiences of fathers of children with disabilities. Methods These perceptions were studied by analysing data generated through semi‐structured interviews, which were conducted with 12 Dutch fathers of children or young adults with disabilities. Results Categories found during our data analysis were similar to those illustrated in the ‘conceptual framework on responsible fathering’ by including role identification, commitment, employment characteristics, cultural expectations and social support. Conclusions Overall, the fathers in this study reported similar experiences, but this study identified new life perspective as an additional category, which might be specific for fathers of children with disabilities. This new life perspective included a positive attitude, living in the moment, appreciation of the little things and transformation of expectations. Some fathers expressed that their child(ren) has enriched their lives, which positively influenced their fathering experience.

Former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Fathers' Involvement 4 Years Later: A Qualitative Study

“…Our fathers adjusted their behaviors and views due to their child's health issues and increased their direct and indirect care of their child (Bonsall, 2018), which in turn, led to a belief that the experience of having a child with health issues positively affected their fathering experience (Schippers et al, 2020). Similar to other findings, the fathers in this study faced more challenges and underwent more intense parenting transitions (Provenzi & Santoro, 2015).…”

“…Fathers of children with disabilities develop a new life perspective including a positive attitude, an appreciation of little things, and living in the moment. Caring for the child enriched the fathers' lives and positively influenced their fathering experience (Schippers et al, 2020). A Polish study of fathers of children with disabilities found a variety of factors that correlated with father involvement: father's self-esteem, father's education, level of child's disability, father's knowledge of the disability and skills in care, time devoted daily to the child, cooperation in parenting, and concentrating on the child's needs (Brągiel & Kaniok, 2014).…”

“…Similar to other findings, the fathers in this study faced more challenges and underwent more intense parenting transitions (Provenzi & Santoro, 2015). Yet, these challenges resulted in more involvement and more confidence (Bonsall, 2018) and positive changes, particularly concerning their parenting experiences (Baumann & Braddick, 1999;Boyraz & Sayger, 2011;Greeff & Nolting, 2013;Hastings & Taunt, 2002;Pelchat et al, 2009;Schippers et al, 2020).…”

Meeting the Needs of Parents of Children With Scoliosis: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

“…We had mostly Canadian participants, and only four fathers. Fathers’ viewpoints tend to be under-represented in research ( Schippers et al, 2020 ; Swallow et al, 2011 ; Tiedje and Darling-Fisher, 2003 ). While we intend this information to be useful to practitioners in other places and contexts, we acknowledge that our sample may not be fully representational.…”

Missing pieces of the puzzle: Deriving a theory of father involvement and intellectual disability

“…In The experiences of Dutch fathers on fathering children with disabilities: ‘Hey, that's a father and his daughter, that's it’, Schippers et al . (2020) adapted a conceptual framework based on experiences with typically developing children for mapping the experiences of father of children with ID. The researchers introduced what they refer to as ‘new perspectives on the fathering experience’.…”