Symbolic interactionism: a perspective for understanding parent-nurse interactions following the birth of a child with Down syndrome.

Abstract

The birth of a child with Down syndrome is a challenge to parental and societal expectations. Feelings of shock, sadness, confusion, denial, fear, anger, guilt, and helplessness may be evoked. In this paper, the impact of stigma on individuals with Down syndrome and their families will be reviewed to clarify why interactions between parents and others need to be explored. Next, the central concepts important to the symbolic interactionist perspective will be reviewed. Then, qualitative data from an ongoing study of 90 parents of children with Down syndrome (ages 3 months to 18 years) will be presented to illustrate how symbolic interactionism can be applied to the to care of children with Down syndrome and their families. Finally, implications for nurses working with families that include a child with Down syndrome will be addressed.