Father Involvement in the Lives of Their Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the UK.
Emma Langley
PMID 40616368WHAT IT FOUND
Fathers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities described performing extensive direct care, including personal care into adulthood.
They reported feeling excluded from professional meetings and struggling with mental health while trying to balance work and caregiving. Services often centered on mothers, leaving fathers as secondary participants.
Key findings
01All fathers described performing multiple roles and responsibilities for their child and family, with significant involvement in direct personal care.
02Fathers reported negative interactions with professionals, feeling dismissed or labeled as aggressive when questioning decisions in meetings.
03Fathers experienced mental health struggles and isolation, often using work as a coping strategy that led to role specialization.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study is cross-sectional, so it cannot track how father involvement changes over time. The sample was small (13 fathers) and mostly White British and educated, which may not represent all fathers. Fathers provided self-reported data, which may be subject to social desirability bias. The study did not include the perspectives of mothers or children, so family dynamics are seen only from the father's viewpoint.
Declared interests
The author declares no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the University of Warwick Research Development Fund.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that fathers are less involved in caregiving than mothers. This study found that fathers were highly active in direct care, including personal hygiene and play, but felt excluded by professional services that centered on mothers.