“The third wing of the plane”: Fathers' perceptions of their role in the treatment process for daughters with eating disorders

Abstract

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions exacerbated by high mortality rates. International and national guidelines recommend family involvement in the treatment process, recognising the family as an important source of support to young people. Research suggests fathers engage less in the process compared to mothers. In studies exploring parental perspectives, most samples consisted of mothers, with fathers minimally represented. Few studies explore family involvement from the perspective of fathers. This study aimed to explore the experiences of fathers regarding their involvement in the treatment process. Qualitative descriptive methods were used, involving focus group interviews of seven fathers. Interviews were assisted by a semi‐structured interview guide. A qualitative content analysis approach was used to analyse the data regarding paternal experiences of engagement in the treatment process. Fathers understood the importance of the whole family working together but viewed mothers as taking a more central role in the treatment process, with fathers more at the periphery. Gender emerged as an influencing factor in paternal involvement, with mothers primarily taking on responsibility for the child with the eating disorder and fathers providing secondary support. Healthcare providers need to be aware of the contribution of gendered roles within the family system and consider this when working with families within the treatment process. Consequently, mental health nurses have an important role in encouraging fathers to become actively involved in the treatment process.