Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 20, Issue 4, 1998, Pages 448-467

Breast-feeding in immigrant women: The role of social support and acculturation (Article)

De Bocanegra H.T.*
  • a University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of social support and acculturation on breast-feeding in 962 low-income immigrant women in New York. Women completed a questionnaire during their postpartum visit. Logistic regression analyses revealed that more acculturated women were 2 times less likely to decide to breast-feed than less acculturated women. The influence of acculturation decreased, however, when controlling for other predictor variables. Predictor variables of breast-feeding (p < .05) were intent, being a nonsmoker, breast-feeding role modeling, and a negative response to the item "A modern woman breast-feeds her baby." Acculturation did not influence breast-feeding. More acculturated women reported more social support. The results indicate a need to target breast-feeding promotion to the most vulnerable group of young mothers (i.e., recent arrivals and women who are undecided about their infant feeding method).

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0032209912&doi=10.1177%2f07399863980204003&partnerID=40&md5=13d92be3ba2dc7031b8a3686f0b2cbc4

DOI: 10.1177/07399863980204003
ISSN: 07399863
Cited by: 19
Original Language: English