University of Hong Kong researchers on Wednesday called for more support for fathers of children with special needs, warning that caring responsibilities are leaving many stressed and with feelings of guilt or shame.

The department of social work and social administration said it interviewed or surveyed almost 500 fathers of children aged 2-12 with special needs, between May 2022 and September 2023.

It found that 65.7 percent of the fathers experienced feelings of shame and 76.2 percent had feelings of guilt.

Almost all of the fathers exhibited compensation behaviour and around half had avoidance behaviour, which could affect their children's development, the researchers said.

Lo Kai-chung, an assistant lecturer who took part in the study, said society puts pressure on fathers of children with special needs.

“When fathers bring their children to the MTR, having dinner or lunch in restaurants, or on the bus, they [children with special needs] will have some socially unacceptable behaviour. Whoever the people around are, whether they know or do not know [the children], they will use verbal or non-verbal communication towards the children and fathers,” Lo said.

He added that traditional values may also affect how such fathers see their caring duties.

“Chinese men have different kinds of masculine norms, such as hiding their emotions, and having to be the breadwinner, or saving face. These are highly affected by children's behaviour,” Lo said.

“We always expect that children should be the best in society, but having children with special needs may not have that achievement, like academically or in social status,” he added.

Lo said that if society was more accepting of children with special needs, this would encourage fathers to be more involved in raising their children, rather than leaving mothers to do the lion's share of caring.

The researchers said the government could also help, by setting up more support services for fathers and introducing "father-friendly" policies, such as flexible working arrangements.