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The impact of knowledge and social influences on adolescents' breast-feeding beliefs and intentions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Vivien Swanson ,
Kevin Power ,
Binder Kaur ,
Harden Carter  and
Kim Shepherd
Vivien Swanson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
Kevin Power
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
Binder Kaur
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
Harden Carter
Affiliation:
Lothian Health Board, 148 Pleasance, Edinburgh, EH8 9RS, UK
Kim Shepherd
Affiliation:
University of Paisley, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Email vivien.swanson@stir.ac.uk
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Abstract

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Objectives

Many health promotion educational interventions assume that increasing knowledge directly influences beliefs, intentions and behaviour, whereas research suggests that knowledge alone is insufficient for behavioural change. Social cognition frameworks such as the Theory of Reasoned Action propose a central role for beliefs and social normative influences. This Scottish study evaluates the role of knowledge and social influences (subjective norms, exposure to breast-feeding, social barriers) on beliefs and future intentions to breast-feed or bottle-feed. Social influences from family and peers are investigated.

Design

A cross-sectional between-subjects observational design was used. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 229 (46%) male and 267 (54%) female adolescents aged 11–18 years.

Setting

Participants completed questionnaires during lessons at three secondary schools in Central Scotland.

Results

Knowledge about health benefits of breast-feeding was generally poor. Analyses found that perceived social barriers to breast-feeding moderated the relationship between knowledge and beliefs. More knowledge, positive beliefs and supportive subjective norms also predicted future intentions to breast-feed. Parental norms exerted greater influence than peer norms on adolescents' breast-feeding beliefs.

Conclusions

Knowledge and social influences are important predictors of positive breast-feeding beliefs and future intentions to breast-feed in adolescents. This has important implications for breast-feeding health promotion interventions in young people.

Keywords

AdolescentsBreast-feedingBeliefsKnowledgeSocial influences
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , May 2006 , pp. 297 - 305
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2006

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