This thesis aimed to provide an integrated model of infant feeding, centred on women's
experiences. Two studies were employed in order to meet this aim. Firstly, a questionnaire-based
longitudinal study within a Social Cognitive framework was carried out in order to
understand the internal and external processes involved in the infant feeding experience.
Eighty-five first time mothers participated in this study. Participants were assessed at three
stages; once during pregnancy, once at six to eight, and again at four to six moths postpartum.
The results of the longitudinal study supported the use of the Social Cognitive framework, and
more specifically the applications of both the Theory of Reasoned Action (Ajzen & Fishbein,
1980), and Self-Efficacy Theory (Bandura, 1977). Further, analysis revealed support for the
conceptualisation of Social Support in this study, and enhanced understanding of the role of
external variables. The second study contained within this thesis was a qualitative interview-based
study of the infant feeding experiences of eight participants of the longitudinal study
who volunteered to be interviewed. The combination of the results of the quantitative
longitudinal study and the qualitative study gave rise to a reconceptualisation of infant feeding
encompassing three phases; the decision phase, the initiation phase, and the maintenance
phase that were formed and are themselves guided by internal and external processes based on
women's individual experiences. It is proposed that this integrated model can be used as a
platforn1 for the furthering of women-centred theoretically based infant feeding research, and
furthermore, the development of women-centred, evidence-based practice.
Date of Award | 2002 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | |
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Toward a Women-Centred Approach to Infant Feeding Research
Callaghan, L. (Author). 2002
Student thesis: PhD