TY - JOUR
T1 - Predictors of continuation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life
AU - Bai, Yeon
AU - Middlestadt, Susan E.
AU - Peng, C. Y.Joanne
AU - Fly, Alyce D.
PY - 2010/2
Y1 - 2010/2
N2 - This study aimed to investigate the relative importance of the psychosocial factors underlying mother's decision to continue exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for 6 months using the theory of planned behavior. A cohort of EBF-mothers (N = 78) completed a questionnaire assessing theoretical constructs at baseline and phone-interviewed at follow-up. Multiple regression analyses were performed to find important predictors of intention, overall and married vs unmarried. Attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control together explained 50.2% (P <.01) of the variance in mothers' intention to continue EBF for 6 months. Attitude and subjective norm were better predictors of the intention than perceived behavioral control. The role of subjective norm was greater in married than in unmarried women. A strong, positive correlation ('3 = 0.67, P <.01) was found between intended and actual EBF duration. Intervention programs designed to positively influence mother's attitude and social support may be effective in improving intention, thereby increasing EBF maintenance for 6 months.
AB - This study aimed to investigate the relative importance of the psychosocial factors underlying mother's decision to continue exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for 6 months using the theory of planned behavior. A cohort of EBF-mothers (N = 78) completed a questionnaire assessing theoretical constructs at baseline and phone-interviewed at follow-up. Multiple regression analyses were performed to find important predictors of intention, overall and married vs unmarried. Attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control together explained 50.2% (P <.01) of the variance in mothers' intention to continue EBF for 6 months. Attitude and subjective norm were better predictors of the intention than perceived behavioral control. The role of subjective norm was greater in married than in unmarried women. A strong, positive correlation ('3 = 0.67, P <.01) was found between intended and actual EBF duration. Intervention programs designed to positively influence mother's attitude and social support may be effective in improving intention, thereby increasing EBF maintenance for 6 months.
KW - Exclusive breastfeeding
KW - Marriage
KW - Social support
KW - Theory of planned behavior
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77649267088&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0890334409350168
DO - 10.1177/0890334409350168
M3 - Article
C2 - 19910521
AN - SCOPUS:77649267088
SN - 0890-3344
VL - 26
SP - 26
EP - 34
JO - Journal of Human Lactation
JF - Journal of Human Lactation
IS - 1
ER -