A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF WOMEN WHO INTENDED TO COMBINE BREASTFEEDING AND WORKING.
Contributors: University Of Illinois At Chicago, Health Sciences Center.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 248
Subjects: Sociology, Individual and Family Studies.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: During the past 15 years, both the incidence of breastfeeding and the number of women in the paid work force who report having preschool-aged children have increased dramatically. In addition, a desire to combine breastfeeding and working appears to be a growing phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of 37 married, primiparous women who had formed the antenatal intention to combine breastfeeding and working. Study methodology included the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. Role theory and Fishbein's theory of reasoned action were used as conceptual frameworks for the research.

Semistructured, indepth interviews were conducted with the study participants at three points: during the last weeks of pregnancy; during the early postpartum period; and after the estimated time of postpartum employment. Sociodemographic data, specific information about the behavioral intention, obstetric and infant data, and pre- and post-delivery job satisfaction scores also were collected.

Twenty-three subjects (62.2% of the study participants) completed the behavioral intention to combine breastfeeding and paid employment. Of the 14 women who did not, seven (18.9%) discontinued breastfeeding prior to the time of postpartum employment, and seven (18.9%) did not become employed at the estimated time. The group of women who combined breastfeeding and working were significantly older than those in the no combination group and had longer periods of gestation, larger babies, fewer neonatal complications, and lower job satisfaction scores in the post-delivery period.

Results of the qualitative analysis showed that many sources of role strain existed for the women who planned to combine breastfeeding and employment outside of the home. Role models, sources of support for the behavior, and information about the complex role were lacking for them. Finally, most of the women in this study found that the working and breastfeeding role involved many unanticipated experiences, and role strain as a result of multiple demands was a reality for them.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-03, Section: A, page: 0631.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO, HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER, 1987.

School code: 0806.