A scoping review of fathers with mental illness

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the nature of the evidence addressing the fathering practices of men living with mental illness. Method: A scoping review methodology, guided by the protocol of Arksey and O’Malley (2005), was used. Literature published between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2012 was retrieved and 33 reports were extracted, aggregated and summarized. Findings: Fathering practices were comprised of seven main topical categories: illness as impediment to fathering; non-illness impediments to fathering; father-mother relations; external informal and formal supports; availability of father to child; involvement of father with child; and, fathering for health, though rarely are fathering practices related to health outcomes. Conclusions: The nature of the evidence reviewed illustrates the diversity of the current literature with little uniformity across the studies. Several gaps in research on fathers with mental illness continue to exist including research on paternal practices and associated health outcomes.