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The lived experience of fathers who have children with asthma: a phenomenological study
Geraldine H Cashin1, Sandra P Small, Shirley M Solberg
1Center for Nursing Studies, St. John's, NL, Canada. g.cashin@nl.rogers.com
Insights
Fathers experience relief after diagnosis but face challenges managing childhood asthma. Understanding paternal experiences is key to providing effective care and support for families with pediatric asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Family Health
- Chronic Illness Management
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent childhood chronic illness impacting school attendance and hospitalizations.
- Parenting a child with asthma requires long-term management of unpredictable episodes.
- Research on parenting children with asthma has predominantly focused on mothers, neglecting paternal experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of fathers caring for children diagnosed with asthma.
- To gain insight into the unique challenges and needs of fathers managing pediatric asthma.
- To inform supportive nursing care strategies for fathers of children with asthma.
Main Methods:
- Phenomenological study utilizing van Manen's method of inquiry.
- Interviews conducted with eight fathers of children aged 7–11 years with asthma.
- Qualitative analysis to identify key themes in fathers' experiences.
Main Results:
- Fathers reported themes including: relief upon diagnosis, a learning process, constant vigilance, ongoing concern, and developing comfort with asthma management.
- Identified five distinct themes characterizing the paternal caregiving experience.
- Highlighted the emotional and practical journey fathers undertake.
Conclusions:
- Understanding fathers' perspectives is crucial for developing targeted support.
- Paternal involvement and experiences are vital components of comprehensive pediatric asthma care.
- Findings underscore the need for nursing interventions that acknowledge and address fathers' specific needs in managing childhood asthma.
Abstract:
Asthma is a common chronic illness of childhood and a major cause of school absenteeism and hospitalization. When a child is diagnosed with asthma, parents become responsible for the long-term management of a chronic condition that is characterized by unpredictable and irregular episodes. Much of the research concerning parenting children who have asthma had focused on mothers. Paternal experiences in caring for a child with asthma have received little attention. In this phenomenological study, van Manen's (Researching Lived Experience: Human Science for an Action Sensitive Pedagogy. The Althouse Press: London, ON) method of inquiry was used to explore the lived experience of fathers who have children with asthma. Eight fathers with children aged between 7 and 11 years who had been diagnosed with asthma were interviewed. Five themes were identified: feeling relief in knowing the diagnosis, learning the ropes, being vigilant, living with concern, and being comfortable with asthma management. Understanding the experience of fathers who have children with asthma and gaining insight into their needs and concerns are essential first steps to providing supportive nursing care.
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