[Fathers of children with chronic illnesses]

Fathers of children with chronic diseases have been underrepresented in research studies. This paper reviews the literature on coping and psychological adjustment in fathers of chronically ill children. Most of the available studies involving fathers did focus on mothers and therefore did not assess specific father-related research questions. Moreover, current knowledge of fathers of chronically ill children is limited by a number of methodological problems. First, there is a lack of theoretical models. In addition definition and assessment of psychological adjustment is inconsistent. Second, several important potential predictors of father's coping and adjustment have not been investigated hitherto, such as illness appraisals and personality. Third stress and burdens specific to the fathers parenting role haven't been assessed. Due to this limitations it is rather difficult to obtain conclusive evidence on psychosocial issues in fathers with chronically ill children. Future research should regularly involve fathers and assess their specific situation.