Fathers of Young Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Children: A Systematic Review.
Amy Szarkowski, Evelien Dirks
PMID 33454727WHAT IT FOUND
Fathers of deaf children learn about hearing loss from mothers, not clinicians, and struggle with sign language.
They cope through problem-solving and work flexibility. Current early intervention services often exclude them due to scheduling and communication gaps.
Key findings
01Fathers typically receive information about their child's hearing loss from mothers rather than audiologists, and prefer not to have information repeated.
02Fathers reported greater difficulty learning sign language and fewer contacts with the Deaf community compared to mothers.
03Fathers are more likely to use problem-focused coping strategies and rely on workplace support, whereas mothers seek more emotional and instrumental support.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The review did not include grey literature or unpublished studies, potentially missing relevant data. The quality of the included studies was variable, with some lacking rigorous reporting of methods or statistical significance. Most studies were cross-sectional, limiting the ability to determine causality between father involvement and child outcomes. The review focused on children aged 0-6, so findings may not apply to older children or adolescents. No meta-analysis was performed due to the diversity of methodologies and constructs across studies.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The review was conducted independently of any commercial sponsor.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the low participation rates of fathers as evidence of lack of interest or commitment. The review indicates that structural barriers, such as work schedules and exclusion from appointment management, are the primary drivers of their limited involvement.