Perceptions and Feelings of Fathers of Children With Down Syndrome

PurposeThis study aimed to obtain information about the lives of families with children with Down syndrome through interviews with the fathers.MethodsThe participants were 9 fathers who were recruited from the local Association of Parents of Down syndrome. Their children were born between 1996 and 2009. The study used a descriptive exploratory design utilizing a focus group.ResultsThrough analysis of the fathers' transcripts, 7 major themes emerged: 1) crisis of life, 2) emotional turmoil, 3) attitudes toward the disability, 4) parental responsibility, 5) realization of fatherhood, 6) difference of feelings between mother and father, and 7) contact with people.ConclusionsFathers were upset with the fact that their children were born with Down syndrome. However, they accepted fatherhood through child-rearing in cooperation with others. The experience of fathers in this study provides practical points for caring for families with children with Down syndrome.