Abstract
(1) Background: Studies related to family-centered early intervention (FCEI) for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) have largely focused on mothers, at the exclusion of fathers. Yet, understanding fathers’ experiences with FCEI is also important and may inform service delivery. The present study explores self-efficacy and involvement with FCEI in both fathers and mothers. (2) Methods: Dutch fathers and mothers completed questionnaires about their parental self-efficacy, involvement in FCEI, perceived support from their primary EI provider, and the impact of raising a child who is DHH on parenting. (3) Results: Both fathers and mothers reported relatively high levels of self-efficacy. Mothers reported higher levels than fathers on some domains of self-efficacy and tended to be more involved in their child’s FCEI than fathers. In fathers, but not mothers, higher levels of self-efficacy were related to higher levels of involvement and higher levels of perceived support. (4) Conclusions: Similarities and differences were found between fathers and mothers in their perspectives on self-efficacy and involvement. This points to potential differences related to their FCEI needs. EI providers need to address both the needs of fathers and mothers to promote optimal development among child who are DHH.
Highlights
Family-centered early intervention (FCEI) focuses the delivery of early intervention (EI)supports on the caregivers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), which can include extended family members and/or other caregivers in the community surrounding the child [1]
Children) in studies related to FCEI, EI providers, EI programs and systems, researchers will have a less comprehensive understanding of the different ways that fathers and mothers may experience, perceive of, engage with, and learn from the support offered by FCEI
We omitted two questions related to attendance at educational meetings; as this studied focused on FCEI, we found these questions to be less pertinent
Summary
Supports on the caregivers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), which can include extended family members and/or other caregivers in the community surrounding the child [1]. It should not be assumed that a child has “one mother and one father”, this remains true for many DHH children. Much focus has been centered on mothers of children who are DHH at the exclusion of fathers. FCEI service provision is intended to address the needs of the whole family, yet without the inclusion of fathers (and/or others actively caring for young DHH children) in studies related to FCEI, EI providers, EI programs and systems, researchers will have a less comprehensive understanding of the different ways that fathers and mothers may experience, perceive of, engage with, and learn from the support offered by FCEI
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