Social Support Improves Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy in a Sample of Black Women
Black women in the United States have lower rates of initiation and duration of breastfeeding compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Social support for breastfeeding, as well as breastfeeding self-efficacy, has been reported as an influence on breastfeeding outcomes. This study analyzes
the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and network support for breastfeeding in a sample of Black women. Results showed that network support for breastfeeding does not have a direct effect on breastfeeding duration and pattern, but it does have a significant influence on breastfeeding
self-efficacy. These results provide theoretical support for clinical interventions designed to enhance the support network as a way of improving breastfeeding self-efficacy, particularly for women at risk for early weaning.
Keywords: Black women; network support; self-efficacy; social support
Document Type: Regular Paper
Affiliations: 1: Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire, USA 2: Lowell Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts, USA
Publication date: 01 October 2012
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