Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Committee Chair
Janet Arthurs
Abstract
Breastfeeding is recognized as the gold standard for infant nutrition. Women enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) give birth to over half of the infants born in the US and over 50% of manufactured formula is sold to WIC participants. The aim of this study was to determine the breastfeeding self-efficacy score and to evaluate if there was a relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy scores and initiation and duration of breastfeeding in a sample of women enrolled in a WIC program. A total of 33 subjects were included in this study. Findings indicated women enrolled in WIC had moderate feelings of breastfeeding self-efficacy at six weeks postpartum as measured by the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). Results lacked evidence to support that those who initiated breastfeeding scored higher on the BSES-SF than those who did not. Results did support a positive relationship between higher breastfeeding self-efficacy scores and longer duration of breastfeeding. Specific recommendations for nurses regarding breastfeeding support are provided based on findings.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Citation Information
Rowe, Sarah, "Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy in a Sample of WIC Participants" (2015). Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects. 214.
https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/nursing_etd/214