DEVELOPMENT OF A SCALE TO MEASURE GENDER-ROLE ATTITUDES TOWARD BREAST-FEEDING AMONG PRIMIPARAS

Women's roles have undergone rapid transformation in recent decades and appear to affect the decision to breast-feed. Research in this area has been hampered by the lack of valid instruments to measure the relevant domains of gender-role related considerations. This study developed a scale to measure gender-role attitudes toward breast-feeding in primiparous women. Ninety-one married women, recruited during childbirth education classes in the Chicago metropolitan area, were surveyed by mail at eight weeks postpartum regarding their experiences as new mothers. Questionnaire items measuring infant feeding method (breast-feeding, bottle feeding) and attitudes toward breast-feeding were developed specifically for this investigation. Validity and reliability were assessed by structural equations analysis using LISREL. The LISREL fit statistics supported a one factor measurement model and combining the six items into a scale. Reliability analysis yielded a standardized alpha coefficient of .74. If results of future research are promising, the scale could be used to target new mothers with multiple roles for education and support and to evaluate interventions designed to promote positive breast-feeding attitudes and behavior.