The impact of the child's deficiency on the father: a study of fathers of mentally retarded and of chronically ill children.

Psychological assessments of fathers of mentally retarded, of chronically ill, and of healthy children indicate that the first two groups undergo significant stress associated with their fathering a handicapped child. Some fathers of mentally retarded children appear subject to a pattern of neurotic-like constriction. Differences in the experiences of fathers and mothers of deficient children are discussed, and suggestions for treatment are offered.