ABSTRACT

There is a lack of support directed towards the mental health of fathers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aimed to gain insight into the unique mental health support needs of fathers of children with ASD, along with potential barriers and facilitators to accessing support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four fathers of children (aged 8–9 years) with ASD. The support needs of fathers included: social support; practical support; respite; financial support; professional support; and, self-care and time to self. Guided by a bioecological framework, individual, interpersonal and community level barriers and facilitators to accessing support were identified. Understanding the barriers fathers of children with ASD experience when seeking support allows the development of interventions specially targeting their unique needs.

摘要

缺乏针对患有自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童父亲的心理健康的支持。本研究旨在深入了解 ASD 儿童父亲独特的心理健康支持需求，以及获得支持的潜在障碍和促进因素。对四位患有 ASD 孩子（8-9 岁）的父亲进行了半结构化访谈。父亲的支持需求包括：社会支持；实际支持；喘息; 经济支持; 专业支持；并且，自我照顾和自我的时间。在生物生态框架的指导下，确定了获得支持的个人、人际和社区层面的障碍和促进因素。