Author: Mehreen Gulzar
Supervisor: Fatima Kamran, PhD
Degree: MS
Year: 2014-2016
University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
The present research aimed to investigate the contribution of body image concern, attitude towards breastfeeding, breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal intentions towards breastfeeding in first time expectant mothers. It was hypothesized that there is likely to be relationship between body image concern, attitude towards breastfeeding, breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal intentions towards breastfeeding in first time expectant mothers. It was also hypothesized that maternal intention is likely to predict by body image concern, attitudes, breastfeeding self-efficacy in first time expectant mothers during their third trimester. Correlational research design was used. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data which consisted of 118 first time expectant mothers during their third trimester with age range of 17-30 years from different hospitals of Lahore. Assessment measures like Demographic Information Sheet, Clinical Information Performa, Body Image Concerns Inventory (Littleton, 2005), Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (de la Mora, Russell, Dungy, Losch, & Dusdieker, 1999), Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale- short form (Dennis, 2003) and Infant Feeding Intention Scale (Nommsen-Rivers & Dewey, 2008) were administered. Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis revealed that there was a positive significant relationship between Attitudes, Breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal intention. However, body image concern showed no significant association with maternal intentions. Hierarchical Regression analysis revealed that occupation of the participant, attitudes and breastfeeding self-efficacy were significant predictors of maternal intention towards breastfeeding and had an impact on decision to breastfeed. Counseling should be provided on improving breastfeeding knowledge, positive attitudes towards breastfeeding, enhancing confidence in one’s ability to breastfeed, and overcoming barriers to breastfeeding, especially, poor social support from family, lack of awareness due to deficiency of education in first time expectant mothers.
Keywords: Body Image Concerns, Self-efficacy, Maternal Intention, Breast Feeding.
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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
