Background: Fathers’ involvement has been identified as a significant predictor in maternal breastfeeding outcomes. Its benefits have been well-documented, but limited studies have examined its influencing factors. Research aim: To investigate factors influencing fathers’ involvement in their partners’ breastfeeding. Methods: A descriptive correlational design was used. Data were collected from 151 fathers from four obstetrics wards of a public hospital in Singapore from October 2016 to December 2016. Self-administered questionnaires were used to examine factors such as fathers’ knowledge and involvement in breastfeeding, attitudes towards breastfeeding, and perceived improvements of knowledge and attitudes for fathers’ involvement in breastfeeding on the discharge day of their partners’ and 2 weeks post-birth. Data were analyzed using IBMSPSS24.0. Results: Fathers’ involvement in their partners’ breastfeeding yielded a moderate to high mean score. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that five independent factors significantly influenced fathers’ involvement in their partners’ breastfeeding: (1) perceived approval of family members and friends in fathers’ breastfeeding involvement; (2) knowledge regarding breastfeeding and their involvement; (3) perceived behavioral control for fathers’ breastfeeding involvement; (4)marital relationship; and (5) perceived improvements of knowledge and attitudes 2 weeks post-birth. Conclusions: The study provided evidence on the significant factors that influenced fathers’ involvement in their partners’ breastfeeding, which can be used to guide healthcare professionals when providing appropriate support to facilitate fathers’ involvement. Future studies should continue to evaluate fathers’ involvement in breastfeeding longitudinally so that relevant support can be rendered.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.