title: Identification of Socio-demographic and Psychological Factors Affecting Women's Propensity to Breastfeed: An Italian Cohort.
abstract: Background:Exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months postpartum is a World Health Organization objective and benefits have been demonstrated for both mother and infant. It is important to clarify which factors influence breastfeeding intentions. Our objective was to assess and identify socio-demographic and psychological factors associated with breastfeeding intention in a sample of pregnant Italian women.Materials and Methods:This prospective study included 160 pregnant women. The following psychological constructs were measured using standardized questionnaires: anxiety, prenatal attachment, adult attachment, personality traits, and intention to breastfeed. Socio-demographic data were also collected using a self-report questionnaire. Assessment took place after the 20th gestational week.Results:Self-employment, age and feeding received as an infant were significantly related to breastfeeding intention. Regarding psychological factors, we also found that Neuroticism was negatively associated with mother's breastfeeding intentions. Relationships between psychological constructs and breastfeeding attitude were examined and represented within a graphical modeling framework.Conclusion:It may be possible to identify women that are less inclined to breastfeed early on in pregnancy. This may aid healthcare staff to pay particular attention to women who show certain socio-demographic and psychological characteristics, so as to fulfill more focused programs.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele UniversityMilan, Italy; Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele HospitalMilan, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Di Mattei
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carnelli
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University Leiden, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jongerius
authors.affiliation: University Centre of Statistics in the Biomedical Sciences, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brombin
authors.affiliation: University Centre of Statistics in the Biomedical Sciences, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cugnata
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ogliari
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS San Raffaele HospitalMilan, Italy; Faculty of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele UniversityMilan, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Candiani
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele UniversityMilan, Italy; Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele HospitalMilan, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sarno
keywords: Italy; breastfeeding; breastfeeding intention; neuroticism; psychological factors