The Influence of Social Networks and Norms on Breastfeeding in African American and Caucasian Mothers: A Qualitative Study.
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| Title: | The Influence of Social Networks and Norms on Breastfeeding in African American and Caucasian Mothers: A Qualitative Study. |
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| Authors: | Carlin RF; Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health, Department of Pediatrics, Children's National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia.; Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia., Mathews A; Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health, Department of Pediatrics, Children's National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia., Oden R; Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health, Department of Pediatrics, Children's National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia., Moon RY; Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. |
| Source: | Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine [Breastfeed Med] 2019 Nov; Vol. 14 (9), pp. 640-647. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Sep 13. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101260777 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1556-8342 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 15568253 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Breastfeed Med Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: New Rochelle, N.Y. : Mary Ann Liebert, c2006- |
| MeSH Terms: | Breast Feeding* , Social Networking* , Social Support*, Mothers/*psychology , Social Norms/*ethnology, Adult ; Black or African American ; Family Relations/psychology ; Female ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Qualitative Research ; White People ; Young Adult |
| Abstract: | Background: Social networks and subjective norms (individuals' perceptions of what other people think) can be influential in decision-making. Although there are data about the importance of support in initiation and duration of breastfeeding, no studies have explored the influence of women's social networks and the norms within those networks on breastfeeding. Research Aim: To investigate, through qualitative methods, the influence of mothers' social networks and subjective norms, both within and outside of her network, with regard to breastfeeding practices. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight mothers participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Probing questions concerning breastfeeding intent, initiation, continuation, and support with regard to social networks and subjective norms were asked. Themes were developed in an iterative manner from coded data. Matrix coding queries assessed patterns in the data and compared quotes based on the respondents' race and social network type. Results: General themes that emerged were the importance of breastfeeding experience within one's social network, the influence of the infant's father, handling disagreement within one's network, and the effects of social norms that exist outside of one's network. Mothers described support for breastfeeding from network members as especially important when breastfeeding was not the norm within the network. There were no differences in themes by race or social network type. Conclusion: Breastfeeding behavior is influenced by a mother's social network, regardless of her race or social network type. Even when breastfeeding is not normative within one's social network, by relying on one network member to support them, mothers may be able to resist the opposing norms of their social network. Since breastfeeding is known to be beneficial to infants and mothers, education or interventions to improve breastfeeding rates may be more effective if they include individual network members who can provide strong support to new mothers. |
| References: | J Adv Nurs. 2005 May;50(3):272-82. (PMID: 15811106) Pediatrics. 2011 Jul;128(1):103-10. (PMID: 21669892) Pediatrics. 2009 Mar;123(3):e406-10. (PMID: 19254976) Am Psychol. 2004 Nov;59(8):676-684. (PMID: 15554821) Matern Child Nutr. 2015 Jan;11(1):33-46. (PMID: 25138617) BMJ. 2000 Jan 1;320(7226):50-2. (PMID: 10617534) J Hum Lact. 2017 May;33(2):368-378. (PMID: 27881731) Matern Child Health J. 2017 Apr;21(4):863-872. (PMID: 27565664) Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2008;34(2):185-93. (PMID: 18293235) Soc Sci Med. 1983;17(21):1599-611. (PMID: 6648580) J Child Health Care. 2013 Sep;17(3):264-73. (PMID: 23439591) Breastfeed Med. 2018 Jan/Feb;13(1):23-27. (PMID: 29185806) PLoS One. 2017 Jun 14;12(6):e0179402. (PMID: 28614419) J Pers Soc Psychol. 1983 Apr;44(4):657-71. (PMID: 6842361) Breastfeed Med. 2009 Oct;4 Suppl 1:S17-30. (PMID: 19827919) Psychol Sci. 2007 May;18(5):429-34. (PMID: 17576283) J Pediatr. 2019 Sep;212:151-158.e2. (PMID: 31201032) J Midwifery Womens Health. 2013 Nov-Dec;58(6):690-6. (PMID: 24325729) J Nutr. 2003 Jan;133(1):305S-309S. (PMID: 12514315) Midwifery. 2018 Jan;56:135-141. (PMID: 29101865) J Health Econ. 2008 Jul;27(4):871-887. (PMID: 18387682) |
| Grant Information: | R01 MD007702 United States MD NIMHD NIH HHS |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: breastfeeding; social networks; social norms |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20190822 Date Completed: 20200701 Latest Revision: 20240722 |
| Update Code: | 20250114 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC6857545 |
| DOI: | 10.1089/bfm.2019.0044 |
| PMID: | 31433206 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Nájsť tento článok vo Web of Science | Abstract: | Background: Social networks and subjective norms (individuals' perceptions of what other people think) can be influential in decision-making. Although there are data about the importance of support in initiation and duration of breastfeeding, no studies have explored the influence of women's social networks and the norms within those networks on breastfeeding. Research Aim: To investigate, through qualitative methods, the influence of mothers' social networks and subjective norms, both within and outside of her network, with regard to breastfeeding practices. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight mothers participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Probing questions concerning breastfeeding intent, initiation, continuation, and support with regard to social networks and subjective norms were asked. Themes were developed in an iterative manner from coded data. Matrix coding queries assessed patterns in the data and compared quotes based on the respondents' race and social network type. Results: General themes that emerged were the importance of breastfeeding experience within one's social network, the influence of the infant's father, handling disagreement within one's network, and the effects of social norms that exist outside of one's network. Mothers described support for breastfeeding from network members as especially important when breastfeeding was not the norm within the network. There were no differences in themes by race or social network type. Conclusion: Breastfeeding behavior is influenced by a mother's social network, regardless of her race or social network type. Even when breastfeeding is not normative within one's social network, by relying on one network member to support them, mothers may be able to resist the opposing norms of their social network. Since breastfeeding is known to be beneficial to infants and mothers, education or interventions to improve breastfeeding rates may be more effective if they include individual network members who can provide strong support to new mothers. |
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| ISSN: | 1556-8342 |
| DOI: | 10.1089/bfm.2019.0044 |