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DOI: 10.1177/0890334405283624 The Role of Personality and Other Factors in a Mothers Decision to Initiate BreastfeedingMedical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, Society for Pediatric Research, International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, National Association of Neuropsychologists, Internationa Society of Neuropsychologists, American Psychological Association
Division of Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Division of Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina The objective of the study was to measure the impact of personality and other factors on the decision to initiate breastfeeding. Mothers were enrolled (24-96 hours postpartum) and were classified as fully breastfeeding, formula-feeding, or combination-feeding. A semi-structured interview about maternal sociodemographics and attitudes and a standardized personality inventory (NEO-PI-R) were conducted. Eighty-seven mothers completed the study: 50 breastfeeders, 6 combination feeders, and 31 formula feeders. Because of small numbers, combination-feeder mothers (n = 6) were excluded from analyses. Maternal age, marriage, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status were significantly associated with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding and formula-feeding groups differed on 3 personality domains: extraversion (53.3 breastfeeding vs 46.9 formula-feeding, P = .002), openness (51.6 vs 46.2, P = .008), and agreeableness (48.5 vs 41.5, P = .01). In a multiple variable logistic regression model, extraversion (P = .03) and openness (P = .003) remained significant. Sociodemographics, experiential factors, and specific personality characteristics of mother were independently associated with maternal feeding decision.
Key Words: breastfeeding maternal attitudes socioeconomic factors personality
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