Literature review of the father’s psychological characteristics and coping behaviors in the case of children with chronic illnesses

Abstract

 This study focuses on the fathers of children with chronic illnesses and aims to provide an overview of research trends based on a literature review and clarify the fathers’ psychological characteristics, coping behavior and adaptation. A search was performed using PubMed (web version) and ICHUSHI (web version) and 23 papers from Japan and overseas were analyzed. As a result, it became clear that despite having great anxiety and disappointment as psychological characteristics, they are trying hard to support their children and wives as fathers and husbands. Also, it became clear that while fathers use coping behaviors that focus positively on the problems of the child with the chronic illness and the family, they also use these behaviors to escape from their own negative thoughts and reality. Based on these characteristics, it has been suggested that it is necessary to create “story-telling spaces” where fathers can express their feelings; provide information that leads to problem-solving; and work actively to incorporate fathers into the circle of support.