Fathers’ Acceptance of Children with Moderate to Severe Intellectual Disabilities: Scale Development, Preliminary Validation, and a Pilot Psychoeducational Intervention

This study focuses on the development and validation of a novel scale designed to assess fathers' acceptance levels of their children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. Recognizing the pivotal role of fathers in the well-being and development of their children, this scale aims to provide a reliable and comprehensive measure of behavioural, internal, and emotional acceptance facets. The research employed rigorous scale development methodologies, encompassing item generation, pilot testing, factor analysis, and reliability and validity assessments. The sample consisted of 150 fathers of children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. Preliminary findings indicate strong internal consistency and convergent validity with established measures of parental attitudes. The scale's distinct dimensions – behavioural acceptance, internal acceptance, and emotional acceptance – demonstrate its comprehensive nature. This scale holds significant potential for professionals in understanding and aiding fathers during their acceptance processes. By facilitating targeted interventions and support mechanisms, this tool underscores the importance of holistic familial support for children with special needs.