The role of personality and other factors in a mother's decision to initiate breastfeeding.
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.
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA.
Carol L
CL
Wagner
Mark T
MT
Wagner
Myla
M
Ebeling
Katreia Gleaton
KG
Chatman
Millicent
M
Cohen
Thomas C
TC
Hulsey
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017533:Marital Status; D008423:Maternal Age; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors