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Journal of Human Lactation
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Maternal Self-Concept and Breastfeeding

John R. Britton, MD, PhD

Department of Neonatology, Exempla St Joseph Hospital, Denver, Colorado, johnrbritton{at}comcast.net

Helen L. Britton, MD

Exempla St Joseph Hospital, Denver, Colorado

To test the hypothesis that mothers with high self-concept will be more likely to breastfeed their infants than those with lower self-concept, 2 cohorts of mothers of term newborns were assessed by different forms of the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale. In study 1, mothers exclusively breastfeeding at 1 month postpartum had significantly higher self-concept than those exclusively formula feeding. In study 2, exclusively breastfeeding mothers had higher scores for total self-concept compared with those exclusively formula feeding. Exclusively breastfeeding mothers also scored higher on several individual dimensions of self-concept, notably those reflecting self-satisfaction, behavior, moral worth, value as a family member, and physical appearance. Mothers partially breastfeeding had intermediate levels of self-concept in both studies. Even after controlling for demographic and social factors and for breastfeeding initiation in regression analyses, self-concept remained significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding in both studies. Thus, compared with mothers who exclusively formula feed their infants, exclusively breastfeeding mothers have higher levels of self concept. J Hum Lact. 24(4):431-438.

Key Words: breastfeeding • self-concept

This version was published on November 1, 2008

Journal of Human Lactation, Vol. 24, No. 4, 431-438 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0890334408316083
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