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Social support, social influence, ethnicity and the breastfeeding decision

Author

Listed:
  • Baranowski, Tom
  • Bee, David E.
  • Rassin, David K.
  • Richardson, C. Joan
  • Brown, Judy P.
  • Guenther, Nancy
  • Nader, Philip R.

Abstract

A survey was conducted of all mothers delivering infants at a university medical center hospital in the month of July, 1981. The survey was conducted within 48 hours of delivery and addressed factors related to the breastfeeding decision. The mother's response to the question concerning choice of infant feeding was verified against the feeding records. One set of questions concerned the perceived general supportiveness toward breastfeeding of six individuals significant to the mother. Another set of questions identified who was most influential in the mother's breast or bottle feeding decision. The pattern of significant bivariate relationships between a person's supportiveness and breastfeeding varied across ethnic and maritial status groups. Single and multiple logistic analyses were conducted within ethnic groups to identify from whom support was most important for initiating breastfeeding. Among Black-Americans, support from a close friend was most important. Among Mexican-Americans, support from the mother's mother was most important. Among Anglo-Americans, support from the male partner was important. A broad variety of ensuing research issues are raised. An implication is that social support may be an important interventive variable, but the potentially supportive individual to be reached by an interventive program varies by ethnic group.

Suggested Citation

  • Baranowski, Tom & Bee, David E. & Rassin, David K. & Richardson, C. Joan & Brown, Judy P. & Guenther, Nancy & Nader, Philip R., 1983. "Social support, social influence, ethnicity and the breastfeeding decision," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 17(21), pages 1599-1611, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:17:y:1983:i:21:p:1599-1611
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    Cited by:

    1. Palmquist, Aunchalee E.L. & Doehler, Kirsten, 2014. "Contextualizing online human milk sharing: Structural factors and lactation disparity among middle income women in the U.S," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 140-147.
    2. Helen J. Lee & Irma T. Elo & Kelly F. McCollum & Jennifer F. Culhane, 2009. "Racial/Ethnic Differences in Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration Among Low‐Income Inner‐City Mothers," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 90(5), pages 1251-1271, December.
    3. Johnson, Sally & Williamson, Iain & Lyttle, Steven & Leeming, Dawn, 2009. "Expressing yourself: A feminist analysis of talk around expressing breast milk," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(6), pages 900-907, September.

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