An initial validation of a measure of sexual perceptions regarding breastfeeding.
Increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration in the United States has been identified as a major public health goal. This article presents an initial validation of the Sexual Perceptions of Breastfeeding Scale (SPBFS). The SPBFS was designed to assess the presence of sexual perceptions regarding breastfeeding that may interfere with a mother's choice to breastfeed an infant. This study establishes the initial psychometric properties of the SPBFS based on a sample of 140 mothers participating in the federal supplemental food program Women, Infants, and Children.


CONCLUSIONS
the SPBFS was developed as a three-factor instrument. Preliminary findings confirm this structure and indicate that the SPBFS shows promise for helping explore how sexual perceptions of breastfeeding interact with the decisions a mother makes regarding breastfeeding.
School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 22932, USA. churst@provcorp.com
Carol Grace
CG
Hurst
D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012725:Sexual Behavior