Experiences of Fathers Raising Young Children with Disabilities: Conflicts, Difficulties, and Positive Changes

Abstract

This study is a qualitative research exploring the conflicts, difficulties and positive changes that fathers of young children with disabilities experience while raising their children. Its main objectives are to enhance our understanding of fathers of young children with disabilities whose lives have long been overlooked and to provide foundational work that can be utilized to promote support programs that may improve these fathers’ quality of life. To achieve such objectives, three individual in-depth interviews were conducted with each of four fathers of young children with disabilities. After performing data analysis, the first highest category of the study, the conflicts and difficulties experienced by the fathers, included ‘conflicts and difficulties in relation to physical challenges, family relationships and social challenges.’ Positive changes, the second highest category on the other hand, included ‘feelings of gratitude towards family members, empathy and gratitude towards others, and caring for the socially weak.’ Based on the findings, the study discussed numerous efforts that must be made in order to establish effective support policies for families with young children with disabilities specially emphasizing fathers and their development.