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Journal of Human Lactation, Vol. 22, No. 1, 16-26 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0890334405283624

The Role of Personality and Other Factors in a Mother’s Decision to Initiate Breastfeeding

Carol L. Wagner, MD

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, Society for Pediatric Research, International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation

Mark T. Wagner, PhD

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, National Association of Neuropsychologists, Internationa Society of Neuropsychologists, American Psychological Association

Myla Ebeling

Division of Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina

Katreia Gleaton Chatman, BSN

College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina

Millicent Cohen

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina

Thomas C. Hulsey, ScD

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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