Occupational adaptation when parenting a child with a disability: A consideration of fathers' experiences.

Introduction: Despite current best practice for early childhood intervention being family centred little is known about fathering children with disability. In the absence of evidence, the model of human occupation (MOHO) offers to provide understanding of the father's role. Aim: To investigate the application of the MOHO in understanding fathers' experience parenting children with disability. Methods: Medline, Cinahl, and PsychInfo, databases were searched for studies published since 2000 focusing on fathers of young children with disabilities. Reference lists of relevant articles were checked for additional studies. Twenty articles met inclusion criteria, and themes were analysed according to the MOHO. Results: Nineteen studies were qualitative; 17 collecting information at a single point using interviews or survey, 2 were longitudinal. In one study, reliability of an assessment of fathers' stress was examined. Key themes of 'difficulties coping in a different father role' (occupational adaptation) and 'importance of engagement with his child' (volition) were identified. Identified gaps included 'fathers' understanding of their role (habituation)', and 'factors influencing a father's confidence in his role' (performance capacity, occupational identity). The MOHO proved valuable as a means of translating the limited research in this area into a holistic picture of fathers' experiences. Conclusion: Despite gaps within the current research addressing fathers' experiences, the MOHO can be used to provide insights regarding the experience of fathers as well as key opportunities for Occupational Therapy involvement. Through the use of MOHO Occupational Therapy is in a unique place to promote a holistic understanding of fathers' experience of this time