Fathers of people with an intellectual disability : a review of the literature

Davys, D; Mitchell, D; Martin, RE

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to review the literature related to fathers of people who have an intellectual disability. Electronic databases and citation tracking were used to collate data using key terms such as fathers, adults with an intellectual disability, learning disability, mental handicap and developmental disability. Relevant articles were analysed and compared for commonality and difference.
Eight themes emerged from the literature: response to diagnosis; varied response to intellectual disability; concern for the future; work; roles and relationships; impact of fathers upon child development; fathers and service providers; fathers’ needs and coping strategies.
This review of the literature presents areas of similarity and divergence, and highlights the lack of information that relates specifically to fathers of adults. There are clear messages to service providers to support the inclusion of fathers and the need for further research in this area is indicated.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 21, 2016
• Online Publication Date: May 25, 2016
• Publication Date: May 25, 2016
• Deposit Date: Apr 28, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 27, 2016
• Journal: Journal of Intellectual Disabilities
• Print ISSN: 1744-6295
• Electronic ISSN: 1744-6309
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 175-196
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629516650129
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1744629516650129
• Related Public URLs: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/journal/journal-intellectual-disabilities