Relationship between mental health and stressors among fathers of children with chronic illnesses and cognitive structure of fathers’ stress experiences

Abstract

Abstract Background: To clarify the relationship between stressor and mental health of the fathers with children with chronic illnesses and to examine the cognitive structure of fathers’ stress experiences. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire survey was conducted on 137 respondents. The dependent variables were the stressors of the fathers and depression. Focusing on the data of 51 fathers of children with chronic illness, for 21 items related to the stressful experiences had been identified in a previous study, an exploratory factor analysis using the principal factor method was performed. Findings: Logistic regression analysis results showed that the items “There are children with chronic illness” and “The large number of medical treatments required for the children” were significantly associated with the fathers’ poor mental health. In the factor analysis, the following three factors were extracted as a recognition of the fathers’ stress experiences. The fathers positively recognized their role as a father and a husband, perceiving it in a positive light despite their negative feelings. Discussion: The mental health of fathers of children with chronic illnesses while being exposed to stressors in daily life should be maintained. The positive psychology approach theory, nursing support and maintaining the father's mental health might be useful.