What does this research mean for the field?

Fathers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder play multifaceted caregiving roles—including meeting daily needs, protecting from harm, and providing emotional support—while navigating significant financial, safety, and stigma-related challenges. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore and describe the caregiving roles and lived experiences of fathers caring for children with autism spectrum disorder in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

September 15, 2026Psychiatry InternationalOpen Access

Fathers at the Centre: Exploring the Roles of Fathers in Caring for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

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Authors

MNMokgadi Rosinah Nkgaphela GSGsakani Olivia Sumbane LHLina Sebolaisi Hlahla

Discussion

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Overview

Qualitative study reveals active paternal caregiving alongside financial and social stigma burdens in fathers of children with autism, highlighting the need for family-centred health policies.

Key Points

To explore and describe the caregiving roles and lived experiences of fathers caring for children with autism spectrum disorder in Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Conducted a qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual study in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
Recruited 15 fathers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder using non-probability purposive sampling.
Collected qualitative data via semi-structured interviews and performed thematic evaluation utilizing Tesch's eight steps of data analysis.
Fathers actively deliver daily caregiving by meeting physiological needs, protecting children from harm, supporting emotional well-being, and sustaining overall family stability.
Participants encounter substantial caregiving hurdles, including elevated financial expenditures, chronic child safety concerns, and pervasive community stigma.
The findings demonstrate an urgent need to transition from traditional maternal-centred models to family-centred healthcare guidelines that systematically involve fathers in clinical consultations and interventions.

Cite This Study

Nkgaphela et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa913609013453be30a12d9 https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7050209

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September 15, 2026Psychiatry InternationalOpen Access

Fathers at the Centre: Exploring the Roles of Fathers in Caring for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MNMokgadi Rosinah Nkgaphela GSGsakani Olivia Sumbane LHLina Sebolaisi Hlahla

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Qualitative study reveals active paternal caregiving alongside financial and social stigma burdens in fathers of children with autism, highlighting the need for family-centred health policies.

Key Points

To explore and describe the caregiving roles and lived experiences of fathers caring for children with autism spectrum disorder in Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Conducted a qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual study in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
Recruited 15 fathers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder using non-probability purposive sampling.
Collected qualitative data via semi-structured interviews and performed thematic evaluation utilizing Tesch's eight steps of data analysis.
Fathers actively deliver daily caregiving by meeting physiological needs, protecting children from harm, supporting emotional well-being, and sustaining overall family stability.
Participants encounter substantial caregiving hurdles, including elevated financial expenditures, chronic child safety concerns, and pervasive community stigma.
The findings demonstrate an urgent need to transition from traditional maternal-centred models to family-centred healthcare guidelines that systematically involve fathers in clinical consultations and interventions.

Cite This Study

Nkgaphela et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa913609013453be30a12d9 https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7050209

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark