Waite-Jones, J.M. and Madill, A. (2008) Concealed concern: Fathers' experience of having a child with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Psychology and Health, 23 (5). pp. 585-601. ISSN 0887-0446
Abstract
Despite increased research into families of chronically ill children, more needs to be known about the father’s experience. We address this issue through asking: ‘What is it like to be the father of a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis?’ (JIA). Four members of eight families with an adolescent diagnosed with JIA, including seven fathers, were interviewed and transcripts analyzed using grounded theory. This study suggests that fathers of children with JIA experience several severe losses which are exacerbated through comparisons they make between their own situation and that of fathers of healthy children. In addition, the fathers faced several constraints which reduced their opportunities to communicate with their ill child through shared activities. Fathers appeared to conceal their distress by adopting strategies of denial and distraction however their adjustment was facilitated, to some extent, by social support. They could also develop greater acceptance of their situation over time as the care of their ill child became assimilated into family life and constraints upon their life gradually reduced through the increased maturity of their son or daughter with JIA. These findings have implications for healthcare professionals and voluntary organizations.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | ©2008 Taylor & Francis. This is an electronic version of an article published in Psychology & Health. Psychology & Health is available online at informaworld. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Fathers, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Family, Childhood Disability, Chronic illness, Qualitative research |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Psychology (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Healthcare (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Repository Officer |
Date Deposited: | 23 Jun 2008 08:53 |
Last Modified: | 16 Sep 2016 13:36 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08870440802036911 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor and Francis |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | doi: 10.1080/08870440802036911 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:3953 |