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The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of first-time mothers with colic infants. Based on the results, implications for clinical practice are described for the clinical psychologist with regards to providing psychological support for these mothers. The research design is qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. Data was collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured, phenomenological interviews and a descriptive analysis was done. The results show that the real versus the imagined experience of having a baby does not meet mothers' expectations. Furthermore, a colic baby elicits numerous anxieties including anxiety about the baby being damaged/ill, the feeding and leaving the baby in the care of others. Mothers battle with feelings of failure, which may be compounded by a stressful labour/delivery. Multiple attempts to soothe the baby or find an effective treatment result in feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. In turn, hopelessness and depression result. Mothers also perceive others' making judgments about their ability as a mother, while anxiety about failure undermines their capacity to accept support. Furthermore, mothers require affirmation from their baby. Their continued search for a cure offers hope that understanding and control can be gained. However, conflicting information and advice leave them feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Moreover, mothers feel disillusioned with medical personnel and the profession. Both medical and psychological factors are perceived as possible causes of, or contributing factors to, colic, and mothers experience guilt that stressors during their pregnancy may have contributed to their babies' being colicky. In addition, colic is seen as a punishment for perceived wrongdoings during pregnancy. Given the above, mothers need a containing figure, a function fulfilled by some husbands. If their own mothers are unavailable to contain their anxieties, substitute figures are found. In addition, practical support is experienced as helpful. Regarding maternal grandmothers, mothers identify with them, resulting in a new understanding of them and of the mother-daughter relationship. They also draw on their mothers' perception of their childhood experiences as positive or negative role models of parenting. Mothers feel ambivalent regarding the baby. They exhibit empathy although they perceive the baby as demanding, intrinsically difficult or rejecting. Consequently, mothers experience feelings of rage, resulting in fears of losing control and harming or abandoning the baby. These negative feelings are perceived as impacting on empathy for and bonding with the baby and result in feelings of shame and guilt. A colic baby is a source of stress in the couple's relationship, resulting in strained marital relations. Lastly, mothers renegotiate their identity as women and mothers. Several psychological defence mechanisms are used as a means of resolving emotional conflict and anxiety, and maintaining self-esteem. Clinical implications include adopting parent-infant psychotherapy as a framework for providing psychological support for these mothers. The study concludes that the colic period is stressful, places strain on the marital relationship and may pose a risk to the parent-infant relationship and child development. Lastly, psychological based interventions should be included as a resource for these mothers. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of first-time mothers with colic infants. Based on the results, implications for clinical practice are described for the clinical psychologist with regards to providing psychological support for these mothers. The research design is qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. Data was collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured, phenomenological interviews and a descriptive analysis was done. The results show that the real versus the imagined experience of having a baby does not meet mothers' expectations. Furthermore, a colic baby elicits numerous anxieties including anxiety about the baby being damaged/ill, the feeding and leaving the baby in the care of others. Mothers battle with feelings of failure, which may be compounded by a stressful labour/delivery. Multiple attempts to soothe the baby or find an effective treatment result in feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. In turn, hopelessness and depression result. Mothers also perceive others' making judgments about their ability as a mother, while anxiety about failure undermines their capacity to accept support. Furthermore, mothers require affirmation from their baby. Their continued search for a cure offers hope that understanding and control can be gained. However, conflicting information and advice leave them feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Moreover, mothers feel disillusioned with medical personnel and the profession. Both medical and psychological factors are perceived as possible causes of, or contributing factors to, colic, and mothers experience guilt that stressors during their pregnancy may have contributed to their babies' being colicky. In addition, colic is seen as a punishment for perceived wrongdoings during pregnancy. Given the above, mothers need a containing figure, a function fulfilled by some husbands. If their own mothers are unavailable to contain their anxieties, substitute figures are found. In addition, practical support is experienced as helpful. Regarding maternal grandmothers, mothers identify with them, resulting in a new understanding of them and of the mother-daughter relationship. They also draw on their mothers' perception of their childhood experiences as positive or negative role models of parenting. Mothers feel ambivalent regarding the baby. They exhibit empathy although they perceive the baby as demanding, intrinsically difficult or rejecting. Consequently, mothers experience feelings of rage, resulting in fears of losing control and harming or abandoning the baby. These negative feelings are perceived as impacting on empathy for and bonding with the baby and result in feelings of shame and guilt. A colic baby is a source of stress in the couple's relationship, resulting in strained marital relations. Lastly, mothers renegotiate their identity as women and mothers. Several psychological defence mechanisms are used as a means of resolving emotional conflict and anxiety, and maintaining self-esteem. Clinical implications include adopting parent-infant psychotherapy as a framework for providing psychological support for these mothers. The study concludes that the colic period is stressful, places strain on the marital relationship and may pose a risk to the parent-infant relationship and child development. Lastly, psychological based interventions should be included as a resource for these mothers. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Spädbarnskolik är ett vanligt förekommande problem som drabbar vart femte till vart tionde spädbarn i Skandinavien och är en vanligt förekommande orsak till att föräldrar söker sig till barnhälsovården (BHV) för hjälp. Syftet med studien var att beskriva föräldrars upplevelser av att leva med ett spädbarn som har kolik. Studien utfördes som en integrativ litteraturstudie och bygger på 12 vetenskapliga artiklar. Resultatet visade att spädbarnskolik påverkade hela familjen vars vardag ständigt växlade mellan hopp och förtvivlan. Föräldrar till barn med kolik upplevde både fysisk och psykisk påverkan på hälsan. De hade svårigheter att kontrollera sina känslor vilket kunde leda till att barnet far illa. Spädbarnskolik försvårade parrelationen, påverkade relationer inom familjen och minskade föräldrarnas sociala nätverk. Avlastning från familj och vänner, samt stöd från BHV-sjuksköterska hade stor betydelse för föräldrar. Många föräldrar upplevde dock ett bristande stöd från BHV-sjuksköterskan och önskade mer bekräftelse och ökad förståelse från BHV- sjuksköterskan för vad de upplever under spädbarnets kolikperiod. / Infant colic is a common problem that affects every fifth to tenth infant in Scandinavia and is a common reason for parents seeking to child health services for help. The aim of this study was to describe parents' experiences of living with an infant who has colic. The study was conducted as an integrative literature review based on 12 scientific articles. The results showed that infant colic affected the entire family whose living constantly alternated between hope and despair. Parents of children with colic experienced both physical and psychological impact on the health. They had difficulty controlling their emotions, which could cause the child harm. Infant colic complicated partner relationships, affected relationships within the family and reduced parents' social networks. Relief from family and friends, as well as support from the CHC-nurse was of great importance to parents. Many parents, however, felt a lack of support from the CHC-nurse and wanted more confirmation and understanding from the CHC-nurse of what they experienced during the infant's period with colic.

Spädbarnskolik är ett vanligt hälsoproblem. När ett barn lider av kolik är detta oftast påfrestande för barnets föräldrar. Dessa föräldrar upplever ofta oro, trötthet och en känsla av hjälplöshet, vilket kan påverka relationen mellan barnet och föräldrarna negativt och öka barnets skrikande. Känslor av frustration och ilska, vilka kan upplevas av trötta och stressade föräldrar, ökar risken för att föräldrar ska skaka eller ta hårt i barnet, vilket kan leda till att barn får allvarliga skador. BHV-sjuksköterskor är viktiga aktörer inom barnahälsovården och det är av stor vikt att de effektivt hjälper och stödjer föräldrar till barn med kolik. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka vilket stöd och vilken hjälp föräldrar till barn med kolik önskar sig från BHV-sjuksköterskor. Denna studie utfördes som en systematisk litteraturstudie. För studien valdes nio vetenskapliga artiklar ut. De utvalda artiklarna är från Sverige, Norge, USA och Sydafrika. Bland de utvalda artiklarna är sju artiklar med kvalitativ metod och två har utförts med blandad metod med kvalitativa intervjuer och deskriptiv statistik. Samtliga utvalda artiklar belyser föräldraperspektivet, med avseende på spädbarnskolik. Studiens resultat visar att förståelse och stöd från vårdpersonal har stor betydelse för föräldrar, för att de ska kunna klara av att hantera den svåra kolikperioden. Föräldrar önskar ofta att sjuksköterskor erbjuder systematisk rådgivning och systematisk uppföljning samt att barnets tillstånd undersöks noggrant. Flertalet föräldrar är även intresserade av att få information om metoder med bristande evidens. Det framgick i studien att sjuksköterskor kan misslyckas med att hjälpa familjer med kolik på grund av att sjuksköterskor kan se annorlunda på kolikproblemet än föräldrarna själva eller att föräldrar kan ifrågasätta sjuksköterskors kompetens vad gäller kolikhantering. Ett annat hinder kan vara att föräldrarnas förmåga att acceptera stöd kan vara försämrad på grund av bland annat social isolering. Resultaten av denna studie tyder även på att kolikdiagnosen kan upplevas både som positiv och negativ av föräldrar och att när spädbarnskolik ibland normaliseras av vårdpersonal kan detta upplevas som negativt av föräldrar. En viktig poäng som framgick i studien, är att föräldrar till barn med kolik har olika behov och kan uppskatta olika typer av stöd och av andra vårdinsatser. Utifrån studiens resultat är det viktigt att sjuksköterskor och annan vårdpersonal alltid lyssnar på föräldrar, bemöter föräldraperspektivet och anpassar alla vårdinsatser utifrån föräldrars individuella behov.