Effects of Infant Colic on the Famil Y: Implica Tions for Practice

Abstract

Infant colic is a little understood phenomenon which has dramatic clinical effects upon the family. This article reports the findings from a Grounded Theory qualitative study that investigated the question of what processes are associated with infant colic in the family. The sample consisted of 50 parents, nurses, and physicians. A Parenting Banking Theory was developed from the data as a metaphor for the social situation that occurs when infant colic behaviors present, A summary concludes with projected areas of need for nursing research, practice, and education for nursing care of families whose infants experience colic. The family nurse and physician are the primary contacts for parents of infants with colic symptoms. This paper presents a theory, based on open-ended interview data, that describes and predicts the family dynamics resulting from the colic experience and hypothesizes interventions. Testing of the theory, especially in the area of intervention and outcomes, is needed. Such testing would serve to quantify the elusive nature of infant colic.