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“They just get it” an exploration of father's experiences and perceptions of a support group for men caring for children with disabilities and/or developmental delay
Author(s) -
Batchelor Molly,
Maguire Sabine,
Shearn Julia
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/jar.12804
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , psychology , situated , qualitative research , developmental psychology , perception , support group , qualitative property , social psychology , psychiatry , sociology , social science , artificial intelligence , neuroscience , machine learning , computer science
Background Support groups available to parents/carers of children with a disability or developmental delay (DDD) are predominately attended by women. Limited data exists reporting experiences of the few male‐only support groups. This paper examines experiences of fathers of children with DDD attending a male‐only support group from South Wales. Method All fifteen members from a support group for fathers/male carers of children with DDD were invited to take part in qualitative interviews and seven participated. The data were analysed following Braun and Clarke's ( Qualitative research in psychology , 2006, 3:77) thematic framework. Results Within the group, fathers felt understood by similarly situated men, and a sense of connectivity and belonging. Fathers perceived exclusion elsewhere, including mixed‐gender groups. Fathers felt permission to talk in a way consistent with their male identities, and valued receiving, and giving, support. Conclusions Mixed‐gender support groups may not meet the needs of fathers, and there are potential benefits in providing male‐only groups.