Work

Barriers and Facilitators of Fathers' Adaptation to Children with Chronic Conditions: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: PURPOSE: This review aimed to identify, describe, and synthesize barriers to and facilitators of fathers' adaptation to children with chronic conditions. METHODS: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022326716). Eligibility criteria were developed by author consensus and verified by a librarian. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from database inception to February 4, 2026. Intervention studies were excluded to focus on naturally occurring adaptation processes. Three researchers independently screened and selected studies and assessed methodological quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Confidence in the qualitative findings was assessed using GRADE-CERQual. Qualitative and quantitative findings were integrated using a sequential exploratory design with narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Of 5,812 records identified, 13 studies underwent quality appraisal; 2 were excluded, and 11 studies (7 quantitative, 4 qualitative) were included. Barriers and facilitators operated across intrapersonal, family/relational, workplace, and healthcare system levels: limited emotional expression, financial responsibility, and mother-centered healthcare communication inhibited adaptation, while the workplace as a coping context, use of family resources, and family role balancing facilitated it. GRADE-CERQual confidence was moderate for limited emotional expression, financial responsibility, and use of family resources, and low for mother-centered healthcare communication, the workplace as a coping context, and family role balancing. CONCLUSION: Fathers' adaptation is shaped by interconnected multi-level factors. Healthcare providers should routinely assess fathers' psychosocial needs during pediatric clinical encounters. Recommendations to adopt inclusive communication strategies that engage both parents in care planning and to offer flexible scheduling and caregiver leave rest on low-confidence findings and are therefore provisional. This review offers preliminary evidence to guide father-inclusive family-centered care and highlights the need for adaptation-focused research in diverse sociocultural contexts, particularly non-Western settings.

Source: Asian Nursing Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.anr.2026.10.005

Authors: Seung Hyeon Yang, Jisu Park, Mina Park, Eun Kyoung Choi

Institutions: Gachon University, Yonsei University, Soonchunhyang University, Yonsei University Health System

Language: English

Topic: Family and Disability Support Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,500