Investigating child raising attitudes of fathers having or not having a child with hearing loss

Abstract

Aim The main goal of this study is investigating child raising attitudes of fathers having or not having a child with hearing loss. Material and method The fathers of 20 children with hearing loss who attend the Training Unit of Hearing and Speaking Abilities in Hacettepe University Department of Audiology and Speech Defects and 20 fathers having children who have a normal hearing have participated in this study. Demographic Information Form and P.A.R.I (Parental Attitude Research Instrument) have been used as devices for data collecting. Results Sub dimension of overprotection scores (42.76 ± 5.59) of the fathers having a child with hearing loss are found higher on a statistically meaningful level than the scores (40.16 ± 6.55) of fathers who do not have a handicapped child ( p < 0.01). Together with this, the fathers having a child with hearing loss get lower scores from the democratic/equality and strict discipline sub dimensions as compared to the fathers who do not have a handicapped child, and this situation is found meaningful statistically ( p < 0.01). Conclusion It is very important that the father's having enough information and support help the father to be encouraged and feel himself enough for this issue. Moreover, the wrong attitudes and behaviors towards the child can be corrected upon noticing them.