Abstract
Parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with a high level of chronic stress which has the potential to negatively impact the well-being of the parents and may be mitigated by self-care. To date, there has been little research about the experience of fathering a child with ASD, and self-care among these fathers. This study used a qualitative descriptive narrative design with Story Theory as the theoretical framework and Story Inquiry Method as the methodology to explore the experience of fathering a child with ASD and the challenge of selfcare.
Several themes and sub-themes related to the fathering experience and self-care were identified. Themes included Accommodated Work-life, Healthy Diversions, Unhealthy Diversions, Mindless Activity, Small Joys, Storytelling, Family and Social Events, and Self-Care. Self-Care had six sub-themes. Escape was identified as a theoretical construct related to self-care. Additional themes, theoretical constructs and patterns of relationships related to the fathering experience were identified. Themes included Complicated Life, Disability Awareness, Providing, and Parenting Journey. Disability Awareness and Providing have five sub-themes, and Parenting Journey has two sub-themes. Theoretical constructs included Anguish, Despair, Dissonance, Fear, Grief, Isolation. Patterns of relationships include Parent-Child Relationship, Partner Relationship, and Connections. School Interaction was identified as a pattern of causation and explanation.
Several new insights emerged. The themes Accommodated Work-life, Mindless Activity, Small Joys, and Providing and theoretical constructs Escape and Dissonance have not been identified in the current literature on fathers of children with ASD and their self-care.
This study offers a muti-faceted view of the experience of fathering a child with ASD and the challenge of self-care.
Sigma Membership
Chi Epsilon
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Fathering, Autism, Self-care, Story Theory, Story Inquiry Method
Recommended Citation
Fahey, Mary Lynn, "The Experience of Fathering a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Challenge of Self-Care" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 56.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/56
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
The Experience of Fathering a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Challenge of Self-Care
Seattle, Washington, USA
Parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with a high level of chronic stress which has the potential to negatively impact the well-being of the parents and may be mitigated by self-care. To date, there has been little research about the experience of fathering a child with ASD, and self-care among these fathers. This study used a qualitative descriptive narrative design with Story Theory as the theoretical framework and Story Inquiry Method as the methodology to explore the experience of fathering a child with ASD and the challenge of selfcare.
Several themes and sub-themes related to the fathering experience and self-care were identified. Themes included Accommodated Work-life, Healthy Diversions, Unhealthy Diversions, Mindless Activity, Small Joys, Storytelling, Family and Social Events, and Self-Care. Self-Care had six sub-themes. Escape was identified as a theoretical construct related to self-care. Additional themes, theoretical constructs and patterns of relationships related to the fathering experience were identified. Themes included Complicated Life, Disability Awareness, Providing, and Parenting Journey. Disability Awareness and Providing have five sub-themes, and Parenting Journey has two sub-themes. Theoretical constructs included Anguish, Despair, Dissonance, Fear, Grief, Isolation. Patterns of relationships include Parent-Child Relationship, Partner Relationship, and Connections. School Interaction was identified as a pattern of causation and explanation.
Several new insights emerged. The themes Accommodated Work-life, Mindless Activity, Small Joys, and Providing and theoretical constructs Escape and Dissonance have not been identified in the current literature on fathers of children with ASD and their self-care.
This study offers a muti-faceted view of the experience of fathering a child with ASD and the challenge of self-care.
Description
This study used a qualitative descriptive narrative design with Story Theory as the theoretical framework and Story Inquiry Method as the methodology to explore the experience of fathering a child with ASD and the challenge of selfcare. This study offers a muti-faceted view of the experience of fathering a child with ASD and the challenge of self-care through the identification of themes revealing several new insights.