Father’s Experinece and Roles in Raising Children with Special Needs: A Qualitative Analysis of Family Functioning
Abstract
This qualitative study explores the experiences and roles of fathers in families with children with special needs (CSN), focusing on the dynamics of family functioning. The research aims to provide an in-depth understanding of how fathers perceive and manage the challenges associated with raising children with unique needs, and how these experiences influence family dynamics. Semi-structured interviews with five fathers were conducted online and in-person. The analysis used coding and theme identification. The findings highlight that fathers assume multiple roles—caregiver, provider, and emotional supporter—and face challenges like financial stress, mental health issues, and societal stigma. Engaged fathers contribute to their children's emotional security and social development. The study emphasizes the importance of education, support networks, and mental health resources for fathers. Encouraging shared parenting responsibilities can foster collaboration and strengthen family bonds. This research contributes to understanding father involvement in families with CSN, emphasizing culturally sensitive support systems that acknowledge fathers' multifaceted roles. Empowering fathers through education and support can enhance family functioning and improve quality of life for all family members.
References
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13. Giallo, R., Seymour, M., Matthews, J., Gavidia-Payne, S., Hudson, A., & Cameron, C. (2015). Risk factors associated with the mental health of fathers of children with an intellectual disability in Australia: Mental health of fathers. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 59(3), 193–207. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12127
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16. John, A., Halliburton, A., & Humphrey, J. (2013). Child–mother and child–father play interaction patterns with preschoolers. Early Child Development and Care, 183(3–4), 483–497. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2012.711595
17. Jones, L., Totsika, V., Hastings, R. P., & Petalas, M. A. (2013). Gender differences when parenting children with autism spectrum disorders: A multilevel modeling approach. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(9), 2090–2098. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1756-9
18. Lamb, M. E. (2010). The role of the father in child development (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
19. Laxman, N., Ranjan, R., & Ranjan, A. (2015). The impact of father involvement on child development: A review of the literature. Journal of Family Studies, 21(2), 145-162.
20. Lopez, S., McWhirter, A., Rosencrans, M., Giuliani, N. R., & McIntyre, L. L. (2019). Father involvement with children with developmental delays. Global Education Review, 6(1), 40–62.
21. Parke, R. D., & Cookston, J. T. (2019). Fathers & Families. In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), Handbook of Parenting (3rd ed., pp. 28–73). Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
22. Picardi, A., Gigantesco, A., Tarolla, E., Stoppioni, V., Cerbo, R., Cremonte, M., Alessandri, G., Lega, I., & Nardocci, F. (2018). Parental burden and its correlates in families of children with autism spectrum disorder: A multicentre study with two comparison groups. Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health, 14(1), 143–176. https://doi.org/10.2174/1745017901814010143
23. Pisula, E., & Porębowicz-Dörsmann, A. (2017). Family functioning, parenting stress and quality of life in mothers and fathers of Polish children with high functioning autism or Asperger syndrome. PLOS ONE, 12(10), e0186536. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186536
24. Purnamasari, A., Utami, S., & Rahmawati, D. (2019). Emotional support and its impact on the well-being of children with special needs in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Psychology, 6(1), 25-34.
25. Schatzman, L., & Strauss, A. (1973). Field Reseach: Strategies for A Natural Sociology. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
26. Siron, Y., Ningrum, H. S., Gustiani, L., & Muaz, F. (2020). Father’s Involvement in Parenting Children with Cerebral Palsy. Journal of Early Childhood Education, 2(2), 183-196.
27. Sugimura, N., Curtiss, S. L., & Weglarz-Ward, J. M. (2015). Father involvement and maternal depressive symptoms in families of children with disabilities or delays. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 19(5), 1078–1086. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-014-1608-7
28. Supriyadi, S., Rachmawati, R., & Anwar, M. (2020). The role of father involvement in child development: A study in Indonesia. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 14(1), 1-14.
29. Toledano-Toledano, F., & Domínguez-Guedea, M. T. (2019). Psychosocial factors related with caregiver burden among families of children with chronic conditions. BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 13(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-019-0147-2.
2. Asfari, H. (2022). Perang yang terlupakan: pengasuhan ayah pada keluarga dengan anak berkebutuhan khusus di Indonesia. Psyche 165 Journal, 15)1), 1-6.
3. Baker, C. E. (2014). African American Fathers’ depression and stress as predictors of father involvement during early childhood. Journal of Black Psychology, 40(4), 311–333. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798413486480
4. Cabrera, N. J., Volling, B. L., & Barr, R. (2018). Fathers are Parents, too! Widening the lens on parenting for children’s development. Child Development Perspectives, 12(3), 152–157. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12275
5. Cabrera, N. J., Shannon, J. D., & Tamis-LeMonda, C. S. (2018). Fathers in the twenty-first century. In Handbook of Father Involvement: Multidisciplinary Perspectives (pp. 3-18). New York: Routledge.
6. Creswell, J. W. (2018). Penelitian Kualitatif dan Desain Riset. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar.
7. Dempsey, I., & Keen, D. (2008). A review of processes and outcomes in family-centered services for children with a disability. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 28(1), 42-52.
8. Doherty, W. J., Kouneski, E. F., & Erickson, M. F. (1998). Responsible fathering: an overview and conceptual framework. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 60(2), 277.
9. Dunn, K., Kinnear, D., Jahoda, A., & McConnachie, A. (2019). Mental health and well- being of fathers of children with intellectual disabilities: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BJPsych Open, 5(6), e96. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2019.75
10. Fagan, J., Day, R., Lamb, M. E., & Cabrera, N. J. (2014). Should researchers conceptualize differently the dimensions of parenting for fathers and mothers? Journal of Family Theory & Review, 6(4), 390–405.
11. Flippin, M., & Crais, E. R. (2011). The need for more effective father involvement in early autism intervention: A systematic review and recommendations. Journal of Early Intervention, 33(1), 24-50.
12. Flouri, E. (2005). Fathering and child outcomes. Wiley.
13. Giallo, R., Seymour, M., Matthews, J., Gavidia-Payne, S., Hudson, A., & Cameron, C. (2015). Risk factors associated with the mental health of fathers of children with an intellectual disability in Australia: Mental health of fathers. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 59(3), 193–207. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12127
14. Giallo, R., Seymour, M., & Pritchard, M. (2015). The mental health of fathers of children with disabilities: A systematic review. Journal of Family Psychology, 29(4), 563-573.
15. Hidayati, H., Widiastuti, T., & Sari, R. (2021). Economic stress and father involvement in families with children with special needs. Journal of Family Issues, 42(3), 456-478.
16. John, A., Halliburton, A., & Humphrey, J. (2013). Child–mother and child–father play interaction patterns with preschoolers. Early Child Development and Care, 183(3–4), 483–497. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2012.711595
17. Jones, L., Totsika, V., Hastings, R. P., & Petalas, M. A. (2013). Gender differences when parenting children with autism spectrum disorders: A multilevel modeling approach. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(9), 2090–2098. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1756-9
18. Lamb, M. E. (2010). The role of the father in child development (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
19. Laxman, N., Ranjan, R., & Ranjan, A. (2015). The impact of father involvement on child development: A review of the literature. Journal of Family Studies, 21(2), 145-162.
20. Lopez, S., McWhirter, A., Rosencrans, M., Giuliani, N. R., & McIntyre, L. L. (2019). Father involvement with children with developmental delays. Global Education Review, 6(1), 40–62.
21. Parke, R. D., & Cookston, J. T. (2019). Fathers & Families. In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), Handbook of Parenting (3rd ed., pp. 28–73). Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
22. Picardi, A., Gigantesco, A., Tarolla, E., Stoppioni, V., Cerbo, R., Cremonte, M., Alessandri, G., Lega, I., & Nardocci, F. (2018). Parental burden and its correlates in families of children with autism spectrum disorder: A multicentre study with two comparison groups. Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health, 14(1), 143–176. https://doi.org/10.2174/1745017901814010143
23. Pisula, E., & Porębowicz-Dörsmann, A. (2017). Family functioning, parenting stress and quality of life in mothers and fathers of Polish children with high functioning autism or Asperger syndrome. PLOS ONE, 12(10), e0186536. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186536
24. Purnamasari, A., Utami, S., & Rahmawati, D. (2019). Emotional support and its impact on the well-being of children with special needs in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Psychology, 6(1), 25-34.
25. Schatzman, L., & Strauss, A. (1973). Field Reseach: Strategies for A Natural Sociology. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
26. Siron, Y., Ningrum, H. S., Gustiani, L., & Muaz, F. (2020). Father’s Involvement in Parenting Children with Cerebral Palsy. Journal of Early Childhood Education, 2(2), 183-196.
27. Sugimura, N., Curtiss, S. L., & Weglarz-Ward, J. M. (2015). Father involvement and maternal depressive symptoms in families of children with disabilities or delays. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 19(5), 1078–1086. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-014-1608-7
28. Supriyadi, S., Rachmawati, R., & Anwar, M. (2020). The role of father involvement in child development: A study in Indonesia. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 14(1), 1-14.
29. Toledano-Toledano, F., & Domínguez-Guedea, M. T. (2019). Psychosocial factors related with caregiver burden among families of children with chronic conditions. BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 13(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-019-0147-2.
Authors
[1]
“Father’s Experinece and Roles in Raising Children with Special Needs: A Qualitative Analysis of Family Functioning”, Soc. sci. humanities j., vol. 8, no. 09, pp. 4958–4967, Sep. 2024, doi: 10.18535/sshj.v8i09.1315.
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