Intersectional Stigma & Help-Seeking of Fathers with ND Children V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Gender, Ethnicity and Neurodiversity: How Intersectional Stigma Influences Help-Seeking Behaviour of Fathers with Neurodivergent Children from Minoritised Ethnic Groups
IRAS ID
368255
Contact name
Layla Massoud
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Holloway University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and Autism can affect how people think, learn, behave and interact with others. Neurodivergent children are often judged for not fitting into expected societal norms, leading to stigma and discrimination (Pang et al., 2024). Stigma not only affects neurodivergent children, but also their caregivers, who may feel blamed, judged or isolated (Mak & Cheung, 2008). Whilst most research has focused on mothers; fathers’ experiences of stigma remain underexplored (Braunstein et al., 2013)
Previous research suggests that fathers play a vital role in their children’s upbringing but face unique challenges. Fathers can feel less confident managing their children’s needs, more sensitive to stigma and less likely to seek support (Alareeki et al., 2022). Fathers from minority backgrounds often experience multiple, overlapping stigma, linked to ethnicity, gender and neurodiversity. This study aims to better understand their experiences of stigma and how stigma may influence them seeking help and support for their child. These findings may help improve neurodevelopmental services, so they are more inclusive and better meet the needs of these families.
I hope to recruit around 10 to 12 fathers, who identify as belonging to a minoritised ethnic group and who care for a child under the age of 18 with either a diagnosed neurodevelopmental condition, or on the waitlist for an assessment at an NHS service. Participants will be recruited through NHS neurodevelopmental services, schools for children with additional needs, and community organisations.
Participants will take part in a one-to-one semi-structured interview, either by video or phone call, lasting about one hour. Participants will be asked questions around their understanding of neurodivergence and experiences of fatherhood, stigma and help-seeking. Data will then be qualitatively analysed into themes. This study is part of a clinical psychology doctorate project at Royal Holloway, University of London.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
26/ES/0040
Date of REC Opinion
26 May 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion