Fatherhood and children with complex healthcare needs: qualitative study of fathering, caring and parenting

BMC Nursing

Jane Noyes²  Lucie Hobson¹ 

[1]National Institute for Social Care and Health Research Clinical Research Centre North Wales Research Network, UK

[2]Centre for Health-Related Research, Bangor University, UK

关键词: qualitative;    community nursing;    fathers;    complex continuing nursing care;    Disabled children;   

Others  :  1121102
DOI  :  10.1186/1472-6955-10-5

 received in 2010-07-08, accepted in 2011-04-15,  发布年份 2011

【 摘 要 】

Background

Fathers are increasingly providing substantial amounts of technical and nursing care to growing numbers of children with complex healthcare needs. This exploratory study reports some of the first in-depth evidence of fathers' experiences and presents a research agenda in this critically under-researched area.

Methods

We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 8 fathers who provided a substantial amount of complex technical and nursing care for their child at home. The aim was to describe their experiences of fathering, parenting and caring. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using Burnard's approach, which has commonalities with phenomenological and content analysis.

Results and Discussion

Fathers enjoyed their caring role and found it rewarding and at times stressful. They instituted structured regimes, which focused on the father/child/family. Performing intimate care posed specific challenges for which there is no guidance. Children's community nursing was highly valued. Fathers generally rejected the need for specific father-focussed services, as such provision would induce guilt feelings. Fathers reported positive relationships with their children and partners.

Conclusions

Key areas for future exploration include gaining a better understanding of fathers' motivations and styles of caring, developing interventions to support fathers' caring role, developing guidance on intimate care, and delivering tailored services to fathers in a family context. There is little understanding of fathering and caring by non-resident, teenage and step-fathers. Finally, knowing more about resilience and coping of fathers in strong relationships with partners and children may help inform interventions to support fathers who do not feel able to stay with their family.

【 授权许可】

   
2011 Hobson and Noyes; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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