Fathers' perspectives on parenting a child with a craniofacial anomaly
Tovah P Klein1, Alice W Pope, Erlene Tan
1Department of Psychology, Barnard College, New York, NY, USA.
Summary
Fathers of children with craniofacial anomalies (CFA) are optimistic about their child's future and focus on their child's engagement with the world. This study explores fathers' experiences parenting a child with CFA.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Limited research exists on fathers of children with chronic medical conditions.
- No studies have explored the experiences of fathers of children with craniofacial anomalies (CFA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To gather preliminary data on the experiences of fathers parenting a child with CFA.
- To understand fathers' perspectives on their child's development and well-being.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory study utilizing structured telephone interviews.
- Sample comprised nine fathers of children with CFA.
- Data analyzed through response percentages and narrative excerpts.
Main Results:
- 90% of fathers expressed high optimism regarding their child's potential for happiness and success.
- Fathers consistently identified positive attributes in their children.
- Fathers actively supported their children's peer relationships by organizing activities.
Conclusions:
- Fathers' emphasis on social engagement aligns with research on fathers of typically developing children.
- Findings suggest hypotheses for future research on fathers' roles in the development of children with CFA.
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