Care provided by the father to the child with cancer under the influence of masculinities: qualitative meta-synthesis

ABSTRACT Objective: To synthesize and interpret findings and conclusions of qualitative research addressing the experience of the father in the care of the child with cancer. Method: Meta-synthesis of 16 qualitative studies from six databases, analyzed through taxonomic analysis. Results: Child and adolescent cancer have several repercussions on the daily life of the father, especially related to the stigma around the disease, the fear of the unknown and the social and family role. Faced with the illness and the need to care for the child, the father seeks to recover normality in the family and transitions between hegemonic masculine behaviors and practices culturally recognized as female. Final Considerations: The complex experience of the father, influenced by masculinities, was evidenced. The limitations regard the restricted understanding of the contextual specificities of the experiences, due to the limited characteristics of the parents and children described in the studies. The knowledge produced is useful to promote involvement of fathers in the care of the child, as well as to strengthen and assist him in this task.