Maternal trait personality and breastfeeding duration: the importance of confidence and social support

Abstract

AimTo explore associations among breastfeeding duration, maternal personality and maternal attitudes and experiences of breastfeeding.BackgroundUnderstanding influences on breastfeeding initiation and duration is critical to increasing breastfeeding rates and supporting new mothers. Maternal characteristics such as self‐efficacy, knowledge and confidence are known to enable women to breastfeed, but little is known about the influence of maternal trait personality on breastfeeding.DesignAn exploratory cross‐sectional survey.MethodA total of 602 mothers with an infant aged 6–12 months old completed a self‐report questionnaire examining maternal trait personality, breastfeeding duration and attitudes and experiences of breastfeeding. Data were collected between March–June 2009.ResultsMothers who reported high levels of extraversion, emotional stability and conscientiousness were significantly more likely to initiate and continue breastfeeding for a longer duration. Attitudes and experiences significantly associated with these personality traits such as perceived difficulties and lack of support may explain these patterns. For example, characteristics associated with introversion and anxiety may prevent women from seeking support or challenging negative attitudes of others at this critical time.ConclusionUnderstanding the influence of maternal personality may thus be a useful tool in antenatal support to recognize women who may need extra, directed support while facilitating discussion of potential barriers to breastfeeding.

Understanding the relationship between breastfeeding and postnatal depression: the role of pain and physical difficulties

“…High maternal trait anxiety and introversion (Brown 2014) and low maternal self‐efficacy, self‐belief and confidence (Nichols et al . 2007, McQueen et al .…”

Experiência de amamentação de mulheres após mamoplastia

“…Maternal personality traits are more associated with duration than with the initiation of breastfeeding. The expression of positive feelings is more common among women who feel more secure in the act of breastfeeding, prolonging breastfeeding duration, despite biological and social barriers, particularly among those with more social support and knowledge (19) . According to the findings of this study, limited decision making was another characteristic feature of women who experienced breastfeeding after mammoplasty surgery.…”

The Association Between Breastfeeding Self-effificacy, Breastfeeding Attitude, Social-professional Support and Breastfeeding Control

“…These questions were adapted to determine socio-demographics (age, education, obstetric history and employment status), obstetric characteristics, breastfeeding experience and breastfeeding intentions. 7,19,21,25,30 B Br re ea as st tf fe ee ed di in ng g A At tt tr ri it ti io on n P Pr re ed di ic ct ti io on n T To oo ol l. . The 'Breastfeeding Attrition Prediction Tool' (BAPT) is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).…”

“…2 Research results show that mothers' characteristics such as maternal age and education, maternal personality, working status of mother, previous breastfeeding experience, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding confidence, intended breastfeeding duration influence breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity. [3][4][5][6][7][8] Additionally, it was also found out that in-hospital experiences such as postpartum or intrapartum complications, in-hospital supplementation, rooming-in practices, provision of information are among the factors that influence breastfeeding success. [9][10][11][12][13] Breastfeeding self-efficacy is among the most significant modifiable variables that are predictive for the breastfeeding outcomes.…”