There have been many articles written about infant feeding disorders that have not specified a theoretical framework that was used to guide the researcher. Much of what has been written about feeding disorders outside of the realms of the premature infant have been informative in nature, not true experimental or quasi-experimental research. In order to expand the state of the science in relation to infant feeding disorders, it is important to become aware of the appropriate theories on which to base research. The purpose of this paper is to look at the theoretical perspectives that have been used in the investigation of infant feeding behaviors.
Several grand theories of development have been utilized to elucidate the importance of parent-infant interaction in infant development. These include Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, and the transactional model of normal and abnormal behavior.
The Synactive Model of Behavioral Organization was developed as a framework for studying the behavioral organization of premature infants. The Child Health Assessment Model was developed as a framework to study the ways caregiver-infant interaction and the environment affect the development of an infant. The theory of attachment was developed and refined to assess parent-infant interactions.
The study of infant feeding encompasses many different points along the continuum of health and illness as well as covering numerous age levels. While there has been many informative articles written about caring for children with feeding disorders, much more has been published in allied medical fields than in nursing, and there is not much in the way of concept analysis or theory development. New technology has allowed more children with feeding problems to survive and thus there is a new need for theory development, including the incorporation of alternative theories to guide nursing practice in caring for these children.
Session #1219 - Poster Session I
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)