“The Pivot of our Compass is our Child”: A Qualitative Study of the Fatherhood Experiences of Fathers of Children with Autism
Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10826-026-03352-8
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Child and Family Studies
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, CINAHL, Criminal Justice Abstracts, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, Violence & Abuse Abstracts, Criminal Justice Periodical Index, Social Sciences Abstracts, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Criminology Collection (ProQuest), Education Collection (ProQuest), Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO), Sociology Database (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Autism spectrum disorder, Experiences, Fathers, Parenting, Phenomenology
- İnönü Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study aims to examine in depth the diagnostic process and post-diagnosis experiences of fathers who have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research was conducted using a qualitative design. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview form and analyzed using thematic analysis. The study group consisted of 20 fathers living in Bingöl, Türkiye, who have a child diagnosed with ASD. The findings indicate that fathers in this study described an ASD diagnosis as a sudden and distressing life event, marked at the time of diagnosis by intense emotional shock, grief reactions, and processes of denial. Rather than grieving a physical loss, fathers go through a grieving process related to the loss of the imagined image of the child. In the subsequent period, experiences are shaped around an ongoing psychological burden and anxiety stemming from uncertainty about the child’s future. Social exclusion, financial strain, and societal stigma restrict fathers’ daily lives and increase their need for support. Nevertheless, participants described developing coping strategies that align with faith-based meaning-making and socially constructed masculine roles. Overall, the findings suggest that fathers’ perspectives are important for understanding family adjustment more inclusively and highlight the need to strengthen psychosocial support mechanisms for fathers in the post-diagnosis period.