title: Gender differences and similarities in the experience of parenting a child with a health problem: current state of knowledge.
abstract: The birth of a child is a transitional situation that triggers stress in the family and each person has to use adjustment strategies allowing them to reposition gradually in relation to themselves and other members of the family, and to make space for the new arrival. When the child has a health problem, the stress on the parents is correspondingly greater. Research shows that fathers and mothers of a child with a health problem experience this ordeal differently. This article reports on the current state of knowledge about the experience of fathers and mothers of a child with a health problem, and suggests new directions for research to provide a fuller understanding of their experience.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Montreal, Canada. diane.pelchat@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pelchat
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
authors.forename: Marie-Josée
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Levert
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting; D012737:Sex Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology