Fisher, Victoria orcid.org/0000-0002-1497-1241, Atkin, Karl Michael orcid.org/0000-0003-1070-8670 and Fraser, Lorna Katharine orcid.org/0000-0002-1360-4191 (2025) A mixed methods exploration of the health and caregiving experiences of fathers of children with a life-limiting condition. Palliative Medicine. ISSN 0269-2163
Abstract
Background: Fathers of children with a life-limiting condition are underrepresented in the literature. We know little about their experiences of caregiving, the impact of this on their health, and their support needs. Aim: To explore the health and caregiving experiences of fathers of children with a life-limiting condition, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Design: A convergent mixed methods design comprised of (1) a quantitative survey and (2) semi-structured qualitative interviews prioritising the qualitative data. Setting/participants: 32 fathers of children with a life-limiting condition took part in the survey. They were recruited via social media, three UK children's hospices, and one UK children's hospital. 12 of these fathers went on to take part in a qualitative semi-structured interview. Results: Thematic analysis resulted in three themes: (1) Everyday precarity; (2) cumulative distress; past, present and future; (3) the scope and severity of the impact of caregiving on fathers; a lack of understanding from others. In the survey, fathers reported high levels of carer strain and distress, alongside high levels of family wellbeing and positive appraisals of caregiving. Conclusion: Fathers' extensive and overwhelming daily routines are inflexible and unstable, leading to multidimensional precarity and a sense of overwhelm. Current care provision does not address the unique and fluctuating support needs of fathers, which are linked to those of their child, and need to be understood in the context of both parenting and caregiving. A process capable of identifying and addressing fathers’ support needs to be established.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2025 |
Keywords: | Caregivers,father,Children,palliative care |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Sociology (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Health Sciences (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 04 Mar 2025 11:30 |
Last Modified: | 26 Mar 2025 08:40 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163251327877 |
Status: | Published online |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/02692163251327877 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:224020 |
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Description: A mixed methods exploration of the health and caregiving experiences of fathers of children witha life-limiting condition
Licence: CC-BY 2.5