Exploring greater rates of breastfeeding among civilian military wives
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Ringo, N., & Gephart, S. M. (2022). Exploring greater rates of breastfeeding among civilian military wives. Nursing for Women’s Health, 26(1), 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2021.11.003
Abstract Created by REACH:
Civilian wives of Service members exhibit above-average rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration compared to the overall U.S. population. This mixed-methods study examined factors that contribute to breastfeeding. 28 civilian military wives completed a questionnaire on breastfeeding self-efficacy (i.e., confidence in ability to perform breastfeeding tasks such as latching or gauging hunger) and 17 of them participated in an interview to provide information on their breastfeeding experiences. Wives reported high levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy and identified resources and attitudes toward breastfeeding that influenced their experiences.
Focus:
Parents
Children
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Mixed Methods
Qualitative Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Ringo, Nicole, Gephart, Sheila M.
Abstract:
Objective To explore factors contributing to the greater rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration among civilian military wives (e.g., legally married to an active-duty spouse) and to determine what might be learned from these factors for intervention design for the broader population of women in the postpartum period. Design The study was conducted online using a concurrent mixed-methods design. Setting National and International U.S. military bases. Participants The sample consisted of 28 civilian military wives whose ages ranged from 18 to 45 years. Interventions/Measurements The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form and semistructured interviews. Results Breastfeeding self-efficacy was high among civilian military wives. Seven main themes with 16 subthemes emerged from the descriptions of the semistructured interviews. The results of the integrative analysis showed that factors within the military environment influence a sense of community and that there were supportive and pro-breastfeeding health care facilitators (especially lactation consultants). Conclusion Civilian military wives described breastfeeding facilitators who they believed promote their greater rates of breastfeeding initiation and continuation, quantified their high level of breastfeeding self-efficacy, and identified descriptive factors that contributed to both areas, topics that are lacking in the literature among this population.
Publication Type:
Article
Keywords:
breastfeeding, breastfeeding self-efficacy, civilian military wives, concurrent mixed methods, human milk feeding
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
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