Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T15:32:19.207Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE SOCIAL ECOLOGY OF BREASTFEEDING: A MIXED METHODS ANALYSIS OF THE BREASTFEEDING VIEWS OF EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND FATHERS IN THE US EXPOSED TO ADVERSITY

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 October 2018

Carolyn J. Dayton Open the ORCID record for Carolyn J. Dayton [Opens in a new window] ,
Angela Johnson ,
Laurel M. Hicks ,
Jessica Goletz ,
Suzanne Brown ,
Trazell Primuse ,
Kiddada Green ,
Myung Ae Nordin ,
Robert Welch  and
Maria Muzik
Carolyn J. Dayton*
Affiliation:
Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, US
Angela Johnson
Affiliation:
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US
Laurel M. Hicks
Affiliation:
University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, US
Jessica Goletz
Affiliation:
Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, US
Suzanne Brown
Affiliation:
Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, US
Trazell Primuse
Affiliation:
Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, US
Kiddada Green
Affiliation:
Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association, Detroit, Michigan, US
Myung Ae Nordin
Affiliation:
Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, US
Robert Welch
Affiliation:
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, US
Maria Muzik
Affiliation:
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Despite the significant health benefits of breastfeeding for the mother and the infant, economic class and race disparities in breastfeeding rates persist. Support for breastfeeding from the father of the infant is associated with higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. However, little is known about the factors that may promote or deter father support of breastfeeding, especially in fathers exposed to contextual adversity such as poverty and violence. Using a mixed methods approach, the primary aims of the current work were to (1) elicit, using qualitative methodology, the worries, barriers and promotive factors for breastfeeding that expectant mothers and fathers identify as they prepare to parent a new infant, and (2) to examine factors that influence the parental breastfeeding intentions of both mothers and fathers using quantitative methodology. A sample (N=95) of expectant, third trimester mothers and fathers living in a low-income, urban environment in Midwestern USA, were interviewed from October 2013 to February 2015 about their infant feeding intentions. Compared with fathers, mothers more often identified the benefits of breastfeeding for the infant’s health and the economic advantage of breastfeeding. Mothers also identified more personal and community breastfeeding support resources. Fathers viewed their own support of breastfeeding as important but expressed a lack of knowledge about the breastfeeding process and often excluded themselves from discussions about infant feeding. The results point to important targets for interventions that aim to increase breastfeeding initiation rates in vulnerable populations in the US by increasing father support for breastfeeding.

Keywords

BreastfeedingFathersPrenatal
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 51 , Issue 3 , May 2019 , pp. 374 - 393
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press, 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alexander, A, Dowling, D Furman, L (2010a) What do pregnant low-income women say about breastfeeding? Breastfeeding Medicine 5(1), 17–23.10.1089/bfm.2009.0034Google Scholar
Alexander, A, O’Riordan, MA Furman, L (2010b) Do breastfeeding intentions of pregnant inner-city teens and adult women differ? Breastfeeding Medicine 5(6), 289–296.Google Scholar
Alexander, M (2012) The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.Google Scholar
Alio, AP, Salihu, HM, Kornosky, JL, Richman, AM Marty, PJ (2010) Feto-infant health and survival: does paternal involvement matter? Maternal and Child Health Journal 14(6), 931–937.10.1007/s10995-009-0531-9Google Scholar
Avery, AB Magnus, JH (2011) Expectant fathers’ and mothers’ perceptions of breastfeeding and formula feeding: a focus group study in three U.S. cities. Journal of Human Lactation 27(2), 147–154.10.1177/0890334410395753Google Scholar
Baisch, M, Fox, R, Whitten, E Pajewski, N (1989) Comparison of breastfeeding attitudes and practices: low-income adolescents and adult women. Maternal Child Nursing Journal 18, 61–71.Google Scholar
Bar-Yam, NB Darby, L (1997) Fathers and breastfeeding: a review of the literature. Journal of Human Lactation 13(1), 45–50.Google Scholar
Bentley, ME, Caulfield, LE, Gross, SM, Bronner, Y, Jensen, J, Kessler, LA Paige, DM (1999) Sources of influence on intention to breastfeed among African-American women at entry to WIC. Journal of Human Lactation 15(1), 27–34.10.1177/089033449901500109Google Scholar
Bentley, ME, Dee, DL Jensen, JL (2003) Breastfeeding among low-income, African-American women: power, beliefs and decision making. Journal of Nutrition 133(1), 305S–309S.Google Scholar
Bowlby, J (1982) Attachment and loss: retrospect and prospect. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 52(4), 664–678.Google Scholar
Canady, RB, Bullen, BL, Holzman, C, Broman, C Tian, Y (2008) Discrimination and symptoms of depression in pregnancy among African American and White women. Women’s Health Issues 18(4), 292–300.Google Scholar
CDC (2008) NCHS Data Brief, No. 5: Breastfeeding in the United States: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1999–2006. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA.Google Scholar
CDC (2017) Breastfeeding among U.S. Children Born 2002–2014. CDC National Immunization Survey. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA.Google Scholar
Charmaz, K (2014) Constructing Grounded Theory, 2nd edition. Sage Publications Ltd, London.Google Scholar
Chowdhury, R, Sinha, B, Sankar, MJ, Taneja, S, Bhandari, N Rollins, N (2015) Breastfeeding and maternal health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Paediatrica 104, 96–113.Google Scholar
Cheatham, CT, Barksdale, DJ Rodgers, SG (2008) Barriers to healthcare and health-seeking behaviours faced by Black men. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 20(11), 555–562.Google Scholar
Corbin, J Strauss, A (2008) Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory, 3rd edition. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.Google Scholar
Coulibaly, R, Seguin, L, Zunzunegui, M Gauvin, L (2006) Links between maternal breastfeeding duration and Quebec infant’s health: a population-based study–are the effects different for poor children? Maternal and Child Health Journal 10, 537–543.Google Scholar
Dayton, CJ, Matthews, WK, Hicks, L Malone, J (2017) The expression of music throughout the lives of expectant parents. Psychology of Music, doi: 0305735617692165 Google Scholar
Dunn, RL, Kalich, KA, Fedrizzi, R Phillips, S (2015) Barriers and contributors to breastfeeding in WIC mothers: a social ecological perspective. Breastfeeding Medicine 10(10), 493–501.Google Scholar
Elliott, R, Fischer, CT Rennie, DL (1999) Evolving guidelines for publication of qualitative research studies in psychology and related fields. British Journal of Clinical Psychology 38(3), 215–229.Google Scholar
Freed, GL, Fraley, K Schanler, RJ (1993) Accuracy of expectant mothers’ predictions of fathers’ attitudes regarding breastfeeding. Journal of Family Practice 37(2), 148–152.Google Scholar
Giscombe, CL Lobel, M (2005) Explaining disproportionately high rates of adverse birth outcomes among African Americans: the impact of stress, racism and related factors in pregnancy. Psychological Bulletin 131(5), 662–683.10.1037/0033-2909.131.5.662Google Scholar
Guendelman, S, Kosa, JL, Pearl, M, Graham, S, Goodman, J Kharrazi, M (2009) Juggling work and breastfeeding: effects of maternity leave and occupational characteristics. Pediatrics 123(1), e38–e46.Google Scholar
Hannon, PR, Willis, SK, Bishop-Townsend, V, Martinez, IM Scrimshaw, SC (2000) African-American and Latina adolescent mothers’ infant feeding decisions and breastfeeding practices: a qualitative study. Journal of Adolescent Health 26(6), 399–407.Google Scholar
Healthy People 2020 (2018) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Topics and Objectives; Maternal, Infant and Child Health Goals. URL: www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=26 (accessed 18th July 2018).Google Scholar
Isabella, PH Isabella, RA (1994) Correlates of successful breastfeeding: a study of social and personal factors. Journal of Human Lactation 10, 257–264.Google Scholar
Johnson, AM, Kirk, R Muzik, M (2015a) Overcoming workplace barriers a focus group study exploring African American mothers’ needs for workplace breastfeeding support. Journal of Human Lactation 31(3), 425–433.Google Scholar
Johnson, AM, Kirk, R, Rooks, AJ Muzik, M (2016) Enhancing breastfeeding through healthcare support: results from a focus group study of African American mothers. Maternal and Child Health Journal 20(1), 92–102.Google Scholar
Johnson, A, Kirk, R, Rosenblum, KL Muzik, M (2015b) Enhancing breastfeeding rates among African American women: a systematic review of current psychosocial interventions. Breastfeeding Medicine 10(1), 45–62.Google Scholar
Jones, MK, Power, ML, Queenan, JT Schulkin, J (2015) Racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Medicine 10(4), 186–196.Google Scholar
Khan, J, Vesel, L, Bahl, R Martines, JC (2015) Timing of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity of breastfeeding during the first month of life: effects on neonatal mortality and morbidity–a systematic review and meta-analysis. Maternal and Child Health Journal 19, 468–479.10.1007/s10995-014-1526-8Google Scholar
Mahoney, MC James, DM (2000) Predictors of anticipated breastfeeding in an urban, low-income setting. Journal of Family Practice 49, 529–533.Google Scholar
Mannion, CA, Hobbs, AJ, McDonald, SW Tough, SC (2013) Maternal perceptions of partner support during breastfeeding. International Breastfeeding Journal 8(1), 4.Google Scholar
Mullings, L (2005) Resistance and resilience: the sojourner syndrome and the social context of reproduction in Central Harlem. Transforming Anthropology 13(2), 79–91.Google Scholar
Persad, M Mensinger, J (2008) Maternal breastfeeding attitudes: association with breastfeeding intent and socio-demographics among urban primiparas. Journal of Community Health 33(2), 53–60.10.1007/s10900-007-9068-2Google Scholar
Pettit, B Western, B (2004) Mass imprisonment and the life course: race and class inequality in U.S. incarceration. American Sociological Review 69(2), 151–169.Google Scholar
QSR International (2012) NVIVO Qualitative Data Analysis Software (Version 10). QSR International Pty Ltd, Burlington, MA.Google Scholar
Roll, CL Cheater, F (2016) Expectant parents’ views of factors influencing infant feeding decisions in the antenatal period: a systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies 60, 145–155.Google Scholar
Sarason, BR, Pierce, GR, Shearin, EN, Sarason, IG, Waltz, JA Poppe, L (1991) Perceived social support and working models of self and actual others. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 60(2), 273.10.1037/0022-3514.60.2.273Google Scholar
Singh, GK, Kogan, MD Dee, DL (2007) Nativity/immigrant status, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic determinants of breastfeeding initiation and duration in the United States, 2003. Pediatrics 119 (Supplement 1), S38–S46.10.1542/peds.2006-2089GGoogle Scholar
Slade, A, Cohen, LJ, Sadler, LS Miller, M (2009) The psychology and psychopathology of pregnancy. Handbook of Infant Mental Health 3, 22–39.Google Scholar
Stremler, J Lovera, D (2004) Insight from a breastfeeding peer support pilot program for husbands and fathers of Texas WIC participants. Journal of Human Lactation 20(4), 417–422.Google Scholar
Threlfall, JM, Seay, KD Kohl, PL (2013) The parenting role of African-American fathers in the context of urban poverty. Journal of Children and Poverty 19(1), 45–61.Google Scholar
US Bureau of Justice Statistics (2014) Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems. US Department of Justice.Google Scholar
US Department of Health and Human Services (2011) Executive summary: the surgeon general’s call to action to support breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Medicine 6(1), 3–5.Google Scholar
Wallace, JL Vaux, A (1993) Social support network orientation: the role of adult attachment style. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 12(3), 354.Google Scholar
Williams, DR, Mohammed, SA, Leavell, J Collins, C (2010) Race, socioeconomic status, and health: complexities, ongoing challenges, and research opportunities. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1186(1), 69–101.Google Scholar
Wolfberg, AJ, Michels, KB, Shields, W, O’Campo, P, Bronner, Y Bienstock, J (2004) Dads as breastfeeding advocates: results from a randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 191(3), 708–712.10.1016/j.ajog.2004.05.019Google Scholar
Wooldredge, J, Frank, J, Goulette, N Travis, L (2015) Is the impact of cumulative disadvantage on sentencing greater for Black defendants? Criminology & Public Policy 14(2), 187–223.Google Scholar
Wouk, K, Chetwynd, E, Vitaglione, T Sullivan, C (2017) Improving access to medical lactation support and counseling: building the case for Medicaid reimbursement. Maternal and Child Health Journal 21(4), 836–844.Google Scholar