ERIC Number: EJ1278255
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Jan
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2322
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
"They Just Get It": An Exploration of Fathers' Experiences and Perceptions of a Support Group for Men Caring for Children with Disabilities and/or Developmental Delay
Batchelor, Molly; Maguire, Sabine; Shearn, Julia
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, v34 n1 p263-273 Jan 2021
Background: Support groups available to parents/carers of children with a disability or developmental delay (DDD) are predominately attended by women. Limited data exists reporting experiences of the few male-only support groups. This paper examines experiences of fathers of children with DDD attending a male-only support group from South Wales. Method: All fifteen members from a support group for fathers/male carers of children with DDD were invited to take part in qualitative interviews and seven participated. The data were analysed following Braun and Clarke's ("Qualitative research in psychology," 2006, 3:77) thematic framework. Results: Within the group, fathers felt understood by similarly situated men, and a sense of connectivity and belonging. Fathers perceived exclusion elsewhere, including mixed-gender groups. Fathers felt permission to talk in a way consistent with their male identities, and valued receiving, and giving, support. Conclusions: Mixed-gender support groups may not meet the needs of fathers, and there are potential benefits in providing male-only groups.
Descriptors: Fathers, Disabilities, Developmental Delays, Children, Child Rearing, Parent Attitudes, Social Support Groups, Social Bias, Gender Bias, Males, Gender Issues, Foreign Countries
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (Wales)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A