ABSTRACT

Meeting work and family demands can be challenging for all families, and even more challenging when raising a child with special health care needs. This current qualitative study interviewing 16 working fathers who care for a child with special health care needs, examines U.S. fathers’ experiences of work-family-community fit, adding to the still limited body of work-life research about fathers. Fathers were recruited through social media calls, blog posts, and email listservs of family support groups. Most participating fathers were employed full time, married/partnered, and cared on average for two children, ranging from 1 to 20 years in age. Thematic data analysis of in-depth telephone interviews demonstrated that fathers relied on work, family, and community resources to meet work and care demands. Fathers employed strategic decision-making selecting jobs that provided flexibility and access to resources such as health insurance. Formal and informal community supports were critical, but not always adequate or easy to access, resulting in the need for ongoing parental advocacy. Inadequate community and workplace resources were compensated by the family system. Work and care responsibilities did not only create stress but provided respite and positive experiences. Implications for future research, and practice and policy changes are being discussed.

摘要

满足工作和家庭需求对所有家庭来说都是一项挑战，在抚养有特殊医疗保健需求的孩子时更具挑战性。当前的这项定性研究采访了 16 位照顾有特殊医疗保健需求的孩子的在职父亲，考察了美国父亲在工作-家庭-社区契合度方面的经历，增加了关于父亲的工作-生活研究仍然有限的内容。父亲是通过社交媒体电话、博客文章和家庭支持小组的电子邮件群发招募的。大多数参与调查的父亲都是全职工作，已婚/有伴侣，平均要照顾两个孩子，年龄从 1 岁到 20 岁不等。深度电话访谈的专题数据分析表明，父亲依靠工作、家庭和社区资源来满足工作和照顾需求。父亲们采用战略决策选择工作，这些工作提供了灵活性和获得医疗保险等资源的机会。正式和非正式的社区支持至关重要，但并不总是足够或容易获得，因此需要持续的父母宣传。家庭系统弥补了社区和工作场所资源不足。工作和照顾责任不仅会产生压力，还会提供喘息机会和积极的体验。正在讨论对未来研究、实践和政策变化的影响。家庭系统弥补了社区和工作场所资源不足。工作和照顾责任不仅会产生压力，还会提供喘息机会和积极的体验。正在讨论对未来研究、实践和政策变化的影响。家庭系统弥补了社区和工作场所资源不足。工作和照顾责任不仅会产生压力，还会提供喘息机会和积极的体验。正在讨论对未来研究、实践和政策变化的影响。