Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality of women and infants. Organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF, 2018), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, 2012), and the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017a) have universally endorsed exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and then continuation of breastfeeding for a minimum of one to two years, with only supplementation of other liquid or solid food sources. Breastfeeding rates in the United States have not met the minimum goals set forth by Healthy People 2020 (n.d.). Although 81% of U.S. mothers initiated breastfeeding after the birth of their infant, only 22% of mothers were found to be exclusively breastfeeding at six months postpartum (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2016a).
This prospective, longitudinal, structural equation modeling study examined millennial-aged, exclusively breastfeeding women within one month postpartum who were followers of at least one of 17 social media breastfeeding support groups. Relationships of the conceptual constructs within Pender’s (1996) revised health promotion model (RHPM); House’s (1981) dimensions of social support; and the added constructs of breastfeeding knowledge, breastfeeding confidence, and breastfeeding attitude were analyzed in an effort to better understand the variables that lead to sustained exclusive breastfeeding to six months.
Data supported the use of the integrated model for breastfeeding women. The normed referenced chi-square (2) of 1.9 (CFI =.94, IFI =.94, NFI =.89, RMSEA =.06, CFI [PCFI] >.5) indicated a good model fit. Additionally, there were statistically significant gains in the confidence, knowledge, and attitude scores from pretest to follow-up at six months. Exclusive breastfeeding to six months was reported to be three times (66%) higher than the U.S. national average (22%) (CDC, 2016a). Future use of the integrated model has great potential to impact public health by the exploration of variables that promote exclusive breastfeeding to six months. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_40762 |
| Contributors | Wilson, Jane C. (author), Weglicki, Linda S. (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing |
| Publisher | Florida Atlantic University |
| Source Sets | Florida Atlantic University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text |
| Format | 244 p., application/pdf |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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