The fathers of children with spina bifida.

Health, employment, marital outcome and involvement with the child, of fathers with spina bifida (IF) and with "normal" controls (CF), were analysed at intervals from birth to 18 years. By 10 years IF had poorer reported health than did CF. By 18 years IF had more specific health problems, many being psychosomatic in nature, than CF or index and control mothers. This pattern was also reflected in the GHQ scores; IF had a significantly higher incidence of symptoms than CF. Practical involvement of IF and CF was generally little different but at 18 years 30% of IF were still involved in their child's "personal care". Employment and income amongst IF and CF did not differ in the early years. By 18 years, significantly more IF were claiming invalidity benefit, while they were also more likely to be the family's only wage-earner. Our evidence suggests that IF suffered surprisingly severely as a result of emotional strain. Both the psychological and practical problems could be alleviated to the benefit of all family members.