ERIC Number: EJ1269906
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Dec
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0017-8969
EISSN: N/A
Healthcare Practitioner Relationships, Cultural Health Capital and Breastfeeding Support for Adolescent Mothers
Jamie, Kimberly; O'Neill, Roisin; Bows, Hannah; Hackshaw-McGeagh, Lucy
Health Education Journal, v79 n8 p901-913 Dec 2020
Objectives: Breastfeeding is the optimal method of infant nutrition. Despite this, rates of breastfeeding in high-income countries are low and mirror wider health inequalities with women from under-served populations being least likely to breastfeed. In the UK, adolescent mothers from areas of high socio-economic deprivation are among the least likely groups to initiate and continue breastfeeding. This study aimed to examine young women's experiences of breastfeeding, with a particular focus on information provision and relationships with healthcare practitioners. Methods, design and setting: Data were collected through qualitative focus groups and interviews with 27 adolescent mothers from areas of socio-economic deprivation in Belfast (Northern Ireland), Bristol (South West England) and Middlesbrough (North East England). Questions focused on the support young mothers receive for breastfeeding with a particular focus on the importance of healthcare practitioners in breastfeeding practices. Results: Although young mothers were well-informed about the benefits of breastfeeding, they lacked basic information which led to early cessation. Moreover, mismatched cultural health capital between healthcare practitioners and adolescent mothers led to perceived strained relationships wherein young mothers felt undermined and not listened to. We suggest that this arises from an intersection of age-related lack of confidence and low cultural health capital arising from differences in socio-economic status. Conclusions: Recommendations are offered for a more holistic approach to young mothers' maternal health and the use of peer supporters.
Descriptors: Nutrition, Cultural Capital, Infants, Early Parenthood, Adolescents, Disadvantaged, Mothers, Health Services, Information Sources, Self Esteem, Socioeconomic Status, Holistic Approach, Mental Health, Peer Relationship, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (Belfast); United Kingdom (Bristol); United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A