Social Support Improves Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy in a Sample of Black Women

Abstract

Black women in the United States have lower rates of initiation and duration of breastfeeding compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Social support for breastfeeding, as well as breastfeeding self-efficacy, has been reported as an influence on breastfeeding outcomes. This study analyzes the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and network support for breastfeeding in a sample of Black women. Results showed that network support for breastfeeding does not have a direct effect on breastfeeding duration and pattern, but it does have a significant influence on breastfeeding self-efficacy. These results provide theoretical support for clinical interventions designed to enhance the support network as a way of improving breastfeeding self-efficacy, particularly for women at risk for early weaning.