As a practitioner focused on improving outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), understanding the nuances of parental involvement and self-efficacy is crucial. The recent study titled Family-Centered Early Intervention (FCEI) Involving Fathers and Mothers of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Parental Involvement and Self-Efficacy offers valuable insights into how both fathers and mothers engage with FCEI and how their self-efficacy can impact their involvement.
Family-Centered Early Intervention (FCEI) aims to support the entire family, yet much of the research has traditionally focused on mothers. This study addresses this gap by examining the experiences of both fathers and mothers, highlighting the importance of involving fathers in FCEI services.
Key Findings
- Both fathers and mothers reported high levels of parental self-efficacy (PSE), although mothers generally reported higher levels in domains such as emotions and affection, play and enjoyment, empathy and understanding, control, and learning and knowledge.
- Fathers who worked fewer hours per week reported higher levels of PSE and were more involved in early intervention (EI) services.
- Both fathers and mothers felt supported by their primary EI provider, but they felt less supported in managing their child's hearing technology-related needs and addressing reactions from family and friends.
Implications for Practitioners
Based on these findings, practitioners can take several steps to improve the involvement and self-efficacy of both fathers and mothers:
- Ask fathers and mothers what involvement in FCEI services means to them and how they prefer to be engaged.
- Identify barriers and facilitators to father involvement and work collaboratively to address these.
- Offer flexible scheduling for in-home EI sessions and consider using telepractice approaches to increase engagement.
- Incorporate strategies and tools to assist caregivers in promoting play and social-emotional development in their children who are DHH.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Family-Centered Early Intervention (FCEI) Involving Fathers and Mothers of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Parental Involvement and Self-Efficacy.
