The paternal experience of parenting a child who has Down Syndrome

Brown, Janice Marie (1991) The paternal experience of parenting a child who has Down Syndrome. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the parenting experiences of fathers who parent a young child affected by Down Syndrome. There has been relatively little exploration of the paternal experience in parenting and particularly in parenting a child with a disability. -- The aims of this study were i) to describe how fathers of children with Down Syndrome describe their involvement with their child, ii) to identify critical events which have altered the fathers' experiences, and iii) to identify nursing strategies which were perceived by the father as beneficial in helping the fathers and their families. -- The research was exploratory using qualitative data. A semi-structured interview guide was used to obtain tape recorded interviews with twelve fathers who had children in the age range of two to twelve years affected with Down Syndrome. -- Data were then transcribed and coded into meaningful broad categories which captured important aspects of the fathers' experiences and critical events relating to these experiences. These categories were then clustered within three thematic categories entitled Paternal Roles, Paternal Tasks and Skills, and Processes Related to Parenting. Therapeutic nursing interventions suggested by the data were identified. -- Recommendations which arise from the findings of this study have significance for nurses practicing in the field of child and family nursing.

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