Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the parental and spousal experience of fathers in families of children with chronic illness and to compare this to the experience of fathers of healthy children. Four research questions were explored: As parents, what is the experience reported by fathers of children with chronic illness in terms of participation in care, overprotection, discipline, communication, family leisure/recreation? Along the same dimensions, how does this compare to the experience reported by mothers? As husbands, what is the experience reported by fathers of children with chronic illness in terms of caretaking responsibility, marital satisfaction, communication? Along the same dimensions, how does this compare to the experience reported by wives? Subjects were 52 sets of parents of children with diabetes, 52 sets of parents of children with cystic fibrosis, and 52 sets of parents of healthy children. All subjects completed the Feetham Family Functioning Survey and Impact on Family Scale. Six fathers and six sets of fathers and mothers were randomly selected for an interview developed by the investigator. Subsets of combined items from the two instruments were determined by the investigator to provide descriptive children. Correlated t-tests were used to determine information regarding subsystem variables. Analysis of variance was performed to explore differences among fathers of children with diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and healthy differences between fathers and mothers of children with diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and healthy children. Interview data were used descriptively. Fathers of children with chronic illness reported significantly greater personal strain and total impact than did mothers. Moreover, findings were significant particularly with respect to parental variables "participation in care" and "communication." Fathers of children with chronic illness felt they should participate significantly more in care than did fathers of healthy children. They participated significantly less in care than did mothers. They reported significantly less communication with children than did fathers of healthy children and than did mothers. Good communication and marital satisfaction were indicated by husbands and wives. The influences on families of role as well as the nature of chronic illness in children was considered.
Sigma Membership
Xi
Type
Dissertation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Chronically Ill Children, Family Dynamics, Communication
Advisors
Lowery, B.
Degree
PhD
Degree Grantor
University of Pennsylvania
Degree Year
1989
Recommended Citation
Nulsen, Amy M., "An exploration of the parental and spousal experiences of fathers/husbands in families of children with chronic illness" (2020). Dissertations. 1774.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/dissertations/1774
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Review Type
None: Degree-based Submission
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2020-07-06
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 9004810; ProQuest document ID: 303791920. The author still retains copyright.