Not “My Territory:” How Gender Role Socialization Impacts Father Involvement in Caring for a Child with an Eating Disorder

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore the experiences of clinicians working with fathers caring for a child experiencing an eating disorder. A phenomenological qualitative method was used to answer the question: What do clinicians with experiences working with male caregivers perceive to be barriers to male caregiver involvement in effectively caring for someone experiencing an eating disorder? Ten participants were interviewed for this study, and multiple themes were uncovered that identified significant barriers and interventions for father involvement in caregiving. Interview excerpts, accompanied by a thick description of the clinician’s lived experiences with male caregivers, are presented to enliven the data.