An extension of the theory of planned behaviour to predict exclusive breastfeeding among Australian mother-father dyads using structural equation modelling
Objectives: The objective of this paper was to examine the predictors of breastfeeding exclusivity at two time-points (6 and 26 weeks postpartum) using a dyadic mother–father extended model of the theory of planned behaviour. Design/Method: A sample of 1139 first-time Australian mother–father dyads...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley-Blackwell
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/97176 |
| _version_ | 1848766236711714816 |
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| author | McAlpine, Thomas Charlesworth, Jessica Martin, Annegret Scott, Jane Mullan, Barbara |
| author_facet | McAlpine, Thomas Charlesworth, Jessica Martin, Annegret Scott, Jane Mullan, Barbara |
| author_sort | McAlpine, Thomas |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Objectives: The objective of this paper was to examine the predictors of breastfeeding exclusivity at two time-points (6 and 26 weeks postpartum) using a dyadic mother–father extended model of the theory of planned behaviour. Design/Method: A sample of 1139 first-time Australian mother–father dyads completed measures of each of the Theory of Planned Behaviour variables (intention, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control) and additional psychosocial and behavioural predictors of breastfeeding, including problems with breastfeeding, psychological distress, childcare stress, partner support, and the frequency and time of first public breastfeed. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the factor structures of the latent constructs to be included in the structural model. Structural equation modelling was used to model pathways between variables. Results: Breastfeeding exclusivity at 6 weeks was significantly predicted by breastfeeding self-efficacy at 6 weeks, intention to exclusively breastfeed, and frequency of public breastfeeding over the month prior, whereas childcare stress, partner support, time of first public breastfeed, and fathers' variables (attitudes and subjective norms) had little influence. Self-efficacy mediated the relationship between mothers' attitudes, psychological distress, and breastfeeding problems with breastfeeding exclusivity at 6 weeks. Breastfeeding exclusivity at 26 weeks was significantly predicted by mothers' attitudes, self-efficacy, breastfeeding exclusivity at 6 weeks, and frequency of public breastfeeding in the month prior. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of breastfeeding self-efficacy and confidence to breastfeed in public as crucial constructs in promoting long-term exclusive breastfeeding and provides support for an extended theory of planned behaviour model in predicting breastfeeding outcomes. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T11:47:56Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-97176 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T11:47:56Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Wiley-Blackwell |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-971762025-03-27T03:42:45Z An extension of the theory of planned behaviour to predict exclusive breastfeeding among Australian mother-father dyads using structural equation modelling McAlpine, Thomas Charlesworth, Jessica Martin, Annegret Scott, Jane Mullan, Barbara breastfeeding public breastfeeding self‐efficacy structural equation modelling theory of planned behaviour Humans Breast Feeding Female Adult Australia Male Mothers Fathers Self Efficacy Latent Class Analysis Intention Psychological Theory Young Adult Theory of Planned Behavior Humans Intention Self Efficacy Fathers Mothers Psychological Theory Breast Feeding Adult Australia Female Male Young Adult Latent Class Analysis Theory of Planned Behavior Objectives: The objective of this paper was to examine the predictors of breastfeeding exclusivity at two time-points (6 and 26 weeks postpartum) using a dyadic mother–father extended model of the theory of planned behaviour. Design/Method: A sample of 1139 first-time Australian mother–father dyads completed measures of each of the Theory of Planned Behaviour variables (intention, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control) and additional psychosocial and behavioural predictors of breastfeeding, including problems with breastfeeding, psychological distress, childcare stress, partner support, and the frequency and time of first public breastfeed. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the factor structures of the latent constructs to be included in the structural model. Structural equation modelling was used to model pathways between variables. Results: Breastfeeding exclusivity at 6 weeks was significantly predicted by breastfeeding self-efficacy at 6 weeks, intention to exclusively breastfeed, and frequency of public breastfeeding over the month prior, whereas childcare stress, partner support, time of first public breastfeed, and fathers' variables (attitudes and subjective norms) had little influence. Self-efficacy mediated the relationship between mothers' attitudes, psychological distress, and breastfeeding problems with breastfeeding exclusivity at 6 weeks. Breastfeeding exclusivity at 26 weeks was significantly predicted by mothers' attitudes, self-efficacy, breastfeeding exclusivity at 6 weeks, and frequency of public breastfeeding in the month prior. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of breastfeeding self-efficacy and confidence to breastfeed in public as crucial constructs in promoting long-term exclusive breastfeeding and provides support for an extended theory of planned behaviour model in predicting breastfeeding outcomes. 2025 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/97176 10.1111/bjhp.12760 eng Wiley-Blackwell restricted |
| spellingShingle | breastfeeding public breastfeeding self‐efficacy structural equation modelling theory of planned behaviour Humans Breast Feeding Female Adult Australia Male Mothers Fathers Self Efficacy Latent Class Analysis Intention Psychological Theory Young Adult Theory of Planned Behavior Humans Intention Self Efficacy Fathers Mothers Psychological Theory Breast Feeding Adult Australia Female Male Young Adult Latent Class Analysis Theory of Planned Behavior McAlpine, Thomas Charlesworth, Jessica Martin, Annegret Scott, Jane Mullan, Barbara An extension of the theory of planned behaviour to predict exclusive breastfeeding among Australian mother-father dyads using structural equation modelling |
| title | An extension of the theory of planned behaviour to predict exclusive breastfeeding among Australian mother-father dyads using structural equation modelling |
| title_full | An extension of the theory of planned behaviour to predict exclusive breastfeeding among Australian mother-father dyads using structural equation modelling |
| title_fullStr | An extension of the theory of planned behaviour to predict exclusive breastfeeding among Australian mother-father dyads using structural equation modelling |
| title_full_unstemmed | An extension of the theory of planned behaviour to predict exclusive breastfeeding among Australian mother-father dyads using structural equation modelling |
| title_short | An extension of the theory of planned behaviour to predict exclusive breastfeeding among Australian mother-father dyads using structural equation modelling |
| title_sort | extension of the theory of planned behaviour to predict exclusive breastfeeding among australian mother-father dyads using structural equation modelling |
| topic | breastfeeding public breastfeeding self‐efficacy structural equation modelling theory of planned behaviour Humans Breast Feeding Female Adult Australia Male Mothers Fathers Self Efficacy Latent Class Analysis Intention Psychological Theory Young Adult Theory of Planned Behavior Humans Intention Self Efficacy Fathers Mothers Psychological Theory Breast Feeding Adult Australia Female Male Young Adult Latent Class Analysis Theory of Planned Behavior |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/97176 |