The Views and Experiences of Fathers of Children with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review of the International Evidence

Recognising the Parental Caregiver Burden of Children With Mental Disorders: A Systematic Mixed-Studies Review

This review aims to consolidate and appraise evidence exploring the caregiver burden of parents of children with mental disorders. A mixed-studies review structure was adopted and six electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global) were searched from each database's inception date until September 2023. Thomas & Harden's thematic analysis framework was utilised for data analysis. Twenty-three studies were included in this review. The results-based convergent integration method identified an overarching theme titled 'hiding behind the walls on fire, engulfed in chaos: dark and alone', three main themes named 'Invisible scars': role of psychological factors on caregiver burden, navigating through social and economic influences on caregiving burden, and influence of illness-related variables and nine subthemes. This review highlighted that the parents perceived insufficient support from healthcare providers and a lack of insight regarding their children's medical condition as the primary contributors to the burden experienced. It is imperative for healthcare professionals to collaboratively engage with parental caregivers, offering accessible treatment options for their children with mental disorders and providing comprehensive educational resources to facilitate a profound understanding of their children's mental health conditions. In addition to addressing caregivers' informational needs, the establishment of an integrated support system is advocated, one involving active participation from healthcare professionals, healthcare institutions, community resources, social services and policymakers. This holistic approach could better meet the multifaceted needs of caregivers, encompassing psychosocial, emotional and financial aspects. Trial Registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: PROSPERO ID: CRD42022363420.

Effectiveness of Online Programmes for Family Carers of People with Intellectual Disabilities: Systematic Review of the International Evidence Base

This systematic literature review examines the evidence base on the effectiveness of online programmes on the mental health and well-being of family carers of people with intellectual disabilities. Databases (ERIC, Medline, PsycINFO and CINAHL) were searched for intervention studies that considered online interventions for family carers of people with intellectual disabilities. Data were extracted using standardised data extraction tools. Bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised trials (RoB 2). Screening, extraction and assessment of bias were completed independently by two members of the research team. Given the low number of included studies and different outcomes assessed within them, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis; therefore, data are presented narratively. Two studies met the criteria to be included in the review. Both studies utilised a feasibility randomised controlled trial methodology. One study found a significant decrease in parental stress, while the other found a significant increase in psychological well-being. Caution must be taken in drawing firm conclusions, given the small sample sizes and low retention rates in both studies. Online programmes seem to offer potential benefits to family carers of people with intellectual disabilities. However, further investigation is needed to examine these programmes, adopting a collaborative approach with family carers.

Experiences of fathers caring for children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A meta-synthesis

Parents raising children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) experience greater family, health, and psychosocial dysfunction due to the compounding nature of children's NDD and disease manifestations. Furthermore, the experiences of fathers and mothers are significantly different, and there is a paucity of consolidated evidence on fathers' experiences. A systematic review and meta-synthesis were conducted using Sandelowski and Barroso's approach. Six electronic databases were searched for relevant articles published between November 2011 and November 2021. Thirty-eight studies were included in this review. An overarching theme "Out of the Shadows, and Into the Sunshine" emerged along with four main themes: (a) "The Illness Is All the Time": An Overwhelming Experience, (b) "Navigating health care and Education Systems," (c) "Strong Alone, Stronger Together," and (d) "My Child Is Different Not Less: A Different Perspective." This meta-synthesis analyzed the facilitators and barriers married fathers of children with NDD faced and suggested a paradigm shift where these fathers are becoming more actively involved in the care of their children. There is a need for family clinicians and therapists and health care, education, and workforce policymakers to collaborate to tackle the current and potential unique barriers faced by fathers of children with NDD.

Developmental disabilities across the world: A scientometric review from 1936 to 2020

BACKGROUND

Developmental disabilities have been largely studied in the past years. Their etiological mechanisms have been underpinned to the interactions between genetic and environmental factors. These factors show variability across the world. Thus, it is important to understand where the set of knowledge obtained on developmental disabilities originates from and whether it is generalizable to low- and middle-income countries.

AIMS

This study aims to understand the origins of the available literature on developmental disabilities, keeping a focus on parenting, and identify the main trend of research.

METHODS AND PROCEDURE

A sample of 11,315 publications from 1936 to 2020 were collected from Scopus and a graphical country analysis was conducted. Furthermore, a qualitative approach enabled the clustering of references by keywords into four main areas: "Expression of the disorder", "Physiological Factors", "How it is studied" and "Environmental factors". For each area, a document co-citation analysis (DCA) on CiteSpace software was performed.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Results highlight the leading role of North America in the study of developmental disabilities. Trends in the literature and the documents' scientific relevance are discussed in details.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Results demand for investigation in different socio-economical settings to generalize our knowledge. What this paper adds? The current paper tries to provide insight into the origins of the literature on developmental disabilities with a focus on parenting, together with an analysis of the trends of research in the field. The paper consisted of a multi-disciplinary and multi-method review. In fact, the review tried to integrate the analysis of the relation between developmental disabilities with a closer look at the scientific contributions to the field across the world. Specifically, the paper integrates a total of 11,315 papers published on almost a century of research (from 1936 to 2020). An initial qualitative analysis on keywords was combined to a subsequent quantitative approach in order to maximize the comprehension of the impact of almost a century of scientific contributions. Specifically, documents were studied with temporal and structural metrics on a scientometric approach. This allowed the exploration of patterns within the literature available on Scopus in a quantitative way. This method not only assessed the importance of single documents within the network. As a matter of fact, the document co-citation analysis used on CiteSpace software provided insight into the relations existing between multiple documents in the field of research. As a result, the leading role of North America in the literature of developmental disabilities and parenting emerged. This was accompanied by the review of the main trends of research within the existing literature.

Experiences of fathers regarding the diagnosis of their child with autism spectrum disorder: A narrative review of the international research

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this systematic review was to identify the views and experiences of fathers regarding their child's Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of a child's Autism Spectrum Disorder may be a stressful experience, creating uncertainty for parents. There has been a limited research focus on the views and experiences of fathers in relation to the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder of their child.

DESIGN

A systematic literature review of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research studies.

DATA SOURCES

Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO.

METHODS

From August to October 2020, two authors independently performed a systematic data extraction and appraised the studies using a recognised instrument. The PRISMA checklist was used in the review.

RESULTS

Nine papers met the inclusion criteria. Four themes emerged: (a) gradual recognition of developmental delay, (b) an emotional time, (c) coping and adaptation and (d) ongoing adjustments to the fathering role.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses and other professionals need to work collaboratively with fathers to improve their experiences and provide supports at the time of Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.