Year: 2020
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives Questionnaires used to assess women’s beliefs as a predictor of breastfeeding behaviour are not theoretically informed or tested for psychometric validity and reliability. This study conducted a psychometric evaluation of the Beliefs About Breastfeeding Questionnaire (BAB‐Q). Design A two‐phase evaluation in an online cross‐sectional questionnaire study ( N = 278) and cohort study sample ( N = 264). A ten‐item questionnaire was proposed to assess women’s beliefs about the benefits and efforts of breastfeeding. Methods Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) assessed construct validity and reliability. Multivariate regression analyses assessed validity in predicting breastfeeding behaviour and experiences. Results EFA found a shortened 8‐item, 2‐factor model had good fit (χ 2 = 23.3, df = 13, p < .040; CFI = .99, TLI = .99, RMSEA = .05), with significant factor loadings. Factor 1 (benefit beliefs) and factor 2 (effort beliefs) accounted for 47 and 19.4% of the explained variance and correlated moderately ( r = −.40). CFA confirmed the solution in the cohort sample (χ 2 = 49.6 df = 19, p < .010; CFI = .97, TLI = .96, and RMSEA = .078). Adjusted regression analyses found beliefs did not reliably predict infant feeding practices. Women’s beliefs significantly predicted the likelihood that women experienced breastfeeding as ‘much more’ positive and negative than they expected. Conclusions The eight‐item questionnaire showed good model fit with acceptable loadings, and good reliability for all subscales. The utility of the BAB‐Q at predicting breastfeeding behaviour remains unclear and unsupported by empirical evidence. Further assessments of the predictive validity of the questionnaire in longitudinal studies with diverse beliefs and infant feeding practices are required.
DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12498
Authors: Philippa Davie, Debra Bick, Joseph Chilcot
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,000
OpenAlex ID: W3112831733