title: Understanding the experiences of fathers of children with congenital heart disease: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.
abstract: Little is known about the experiences of fathers of children with congenital heart disease. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, the lived experiences of six fathers were explored. Two master themes emerged: 'relinquishing and reclaiming control' and 'living in the shadow of illness'. Subordinate themes included playing the support act, a pragmatic/emotional dichotomy, and becoming the child's protector. Other themes included living in limbo and redefining 'normality' to encompass the condition. Theoretical links are made between these findings and existing literature while clinical implications include the need to involve fathers in decision-making and to respect their need to maintain control.
authors.affiliation: 1 Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn, UK.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gower
authors.affiliation: 2 Queen's University Belfast, UK.|3 Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, UK.
authors.forename: Aiveen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.affiliation: 4 Western Health and Social Care Trust, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Doherty
authors.affiliation: 5 King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCormack
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003657:Decision Making; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011209:Power, Psychological
keywords: children; chronic illness; family; heart; interpretative phenomenological analysis