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Fathers’ Views and Understanding of their Roles in Families with a Child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Karalyn Hill

Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Newry, Northern Ireland, Karalyn.Hill{at}southerntrust.hscni.net

Aiveen Higgins

Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children & Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Martin Dempster

Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Anthony McCarthy

Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, Northern Ireland

This study explored how fathers of children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) perceived and understood the roles they had within their family over the course of their child’s illness and treatment. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with five fathers. Transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The major themes that emerged were: adjusting to the diagnosis; the experience of maternal gate-keeping; striving for normalization; experiences of giving and receiving support. Overall, the fathers perceived themselves as having significant responsibility in helping their child and family cope with the illness experience. Clinical implications, including the need for professionals to recognize and more openly acknowledge the father’s position, are considered.

Key Words: childhood ALL • families • fathers • interpretative phenomenological analysis • roles

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 14, No. 8, 1268-1280 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1359105309342291
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