(From left) Research team members music therapist LI Hui Yun, Professor Ng Siu Man and Dr Lo Kai Chung; and Adam, father of an SEN kid.
In families with children with special needs, the caregiving role of fathers is frequently underestimated, particularly in Chinese society, which is shaped by traditional patriarchal beliefs, where men are typically less inclined to openly address domestic issues or seek support. Yet, the negative emotions they encounter while providing care can result in physical and mental strain, potentially impacting both their own well-being and the growth and development of their children.
Dr Kai Chung Lo, from the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), led the first study in Hong Kong on "Fathers' Moral Emotions and Involvement in Caring for Children with Special Needs" (referred to as the 'Survey'). The study aimed to gain insights into the Hong Kong context, identify potential issues early, and offer suitable recommendations for relevant services.
At present, there are no official statistics available regarding the number of fathers serving as primary caregivers of children aged 2 to 12 with special needs in Hong Kong. This research estimated that as of mid-2023, the total number of such fathers is approximately 12,554. (*Note 1).
The research took place from May 2022 to September 2023. In-depth interviews were carried out in the first phase with 31 fathers of children aged 2 to 12 with special needs, focusing on those in the pre-school and primary school stages who heavily depend on parental care. It was revealed that fathers may experience feelings of "shame" and "guilt" as negative moral emotions that can influence their role as caregivers. These emotions often manifest in behaviours such as "avoidance" and "compensation" in their interactions with their children.
In the interviews, the majority of father caregivers revealed experiencing feelings of shame while providing care, which often resulted in avoidance behaviours. Furthermore, a significant number of them expressed feelings of guilt, which in turn led to compensation behaviours.
The second-phase questionnaire survey obtained valid responses from a total of 437 father caregivers.
The findings revealed: 1. Majority of fathers caring for their children with special needs reported experiencing negative emotions or behaviours. Those 'agree' or 'very agree' with the following experiences, respectively: shame (65.7%), guilt (76.2%), avoidance behaviour (50.6%), and compensation behaviour (95.2%).
2. On a scale of 6 indicating increasing intensity, the respondents' average scores for different experiences were: shame (3.37), guilt (3.7), avoidance behaviour (3), and compensation behaviour (4.1).
3. The more prominent negative emotion reported was guilt, leading to compensation behaviour.
4. In social settings, fathers of children with special needs experienced heightened feelings of shame when their children displayed emotional fluctuations or abnormal behaviours in public places like transportation, playgrounds, or malls. These feelings were exacerbated by negative comments from strangers, resulting in a reluctance to take their children out and engage in social activities. The values in these specific categories on the scale were found to be above the overall average. (shame - self-perceived external failure - 3.39; avoidance behavior - participating with reservations - 3.38).
5 In the family context, father caregivers frequently resort to disciplining children with special needs using harsh tones and actions in an effort to address their abnormal behaviours. The interviewed fathers commonly experienced significant guilt over their intense emotional responses during these disciplinary moments, prompting them to engage in ongoing compensatory behaviour to ease their feelings of guilt. The values in these specific categories on the scale were found to be higher than the overall average. (guilt - emotional mistakes - 3.86; compensatory behavior - ongoing compensation - 4.4).
Dr Lo highlighted that these negative emotions and behaviours can have detrimental effects on parenting children with special needs.
"In the in-depth interviews, some fathers expressed that they encounter judgmental looks from others and feel compelled to 'set aside their dignity' when taking their children out, resulting in a reluctance to go out unless absolutely necessary." Dr Lo said.
"Some fathers may feel that they have overreacted and lost control when disciplining their children, a perception that their spouses may also share, viewing the discipline as excessive. This can lead to feelings of guilt once they have calmed down. Consequently, they may attempt to assuage their guilt by buying things for their children and relaxing their discipline, ultimately leading to increased conflicts with their children and perpetuating a vicious cycle." Dr Lo added.
The research team has the following recommendations:
1. Support services tailored for male care givers and funded by the government
In recent years, there have been tragic incidents involving caregivers of individuals with disabilities, among them were male caregivers experiencing significant stress. Current support services for caregivers of children with disabilities predominantly target women/mothers as the primary beneficiaries, overlooking the specific needs of men/dads. For instance, existing service structures often prioritise group interactions and operate mainly on weekdays. It is imperative for the government to consider allocating resources to non-governmental organisations to establish tailored services for male caregivers, offering customised response strategies. These may include integrating theories of moral emotion intervention, providing parenting workshops specifically designed for fathers, organising parent-child activities centred around play or sports, and implementing flexible scheduling and blended service delivery modes. By enhancing the support system for male caregivers, these initiatives can effectively reduce caregiving-related stress and foster a more robust caregiving network.
2. Introducing a "Father-Friendly Policy"
The role of fathers in caring for children with special needs is indispensable, yet society's acknowledgment and support for this role are lacking. It is essential for the government to advocate for the adoption of a "Father-Friendly Policy" and engage with various stakeholders, including employers, policymakers, and school administrators, to boost father-child interaction time and engagement in caregiving. This can be achieved through initiatives such as flexible work arrangements and father-child incentive programmes. By fostering greater involvement of fathers in family life, these efforts can amplify public appreciation of the distinct contribution fathers make in caring for children with special needs.
3. Strengthen community education to reduce stigma against children with special needs
The research findings suggest that fathers of children with special needs may experience feelings of shame when their children exhibit abnormal behaviours in public settings. This can lead fathers to withdraw from taking their children outside and engaging in social activities. Prolonged avoidance of such situations may diminish fathers' participation in caregiving and impede the social inclusion of children with special needs. Revisiting the "Disability Discrimination Ordinance" (Chapter 487) and implementing community education initiatives to promote acceptance of children with special needs can hopefully diminish the associated stigma. The ultimate goal is to alleviate fathers' shame and guilt in response to societal perceptions of their children's behaviour by addressing these issues through targeted interventions.
*Note 1: For the estimation of the number of fathers who are the primary caregivers of children with special needs in Hong Kong, please refer to the project research report pp.41-43.
Please click here for the full report and the powerpoints presented at the media conference.
