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PCORI
PCORI
Source: U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.
It Takes a Village: Increasing Capacity for Breast/Chest Feeding Equity among African Americans
It Takes a Village: Increasing Capacity for Breast/Chest Feeding Equity among African Americans
Recent Articles
Recent Articles
Source: U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.
Breastfeeding benefits mothers as much as babies, but public health messaging often only tells half of the story
Breastfeeding benefits mothers as much as babies, but public health messaging often only tells half of the story
Our Publications
Our Publications
A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study of Breastfeeding Attitudes among Southern African Americans.
Abstract
We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of examining breast/chest feeding attitudes among African Americans in South Carolina using an explanatory sequential, mixed methods approach. We surveyed 50 pregnant African American women during their ob-gyn appointment (Phase I), followed by qualitative interviews with four African American couples (N = 8) (Phase II), and integrating quantitative–qualitative data through joint display (Phase III). Phase I supported the feasibility of recruiting pregnant African American women for our study. However, for Phase II, more research is needed to support the feasibility of recruiting couples from the quantitative phase. The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale demonstrated moderate reliability (α = 0.68). Participants intending to exclusively breastfeed (M = 65, SD = 5.79) had higher scores than those intending to exclusively use formula (M = 50, SD = 4.37, p < .001). The six qualitative themes (Phase II) and data integration (Phase III) identified cultural considerations for future research.Abstract
Abstract
Through intentionally engaging in reflexivity, researchers can be transparent about potential areas of social inquiry and analysis that might be subject to a priori assumptions, personal biases, and interpretations that are not rooted in the data. In the context of conducting research with others, reflexivity also includes a collective dimension in which each researcher’s positionality interacts with the others and shapes research outcomes. Fostering collective reflexivity within interdisciplinary teams enables the researchers to process conflicting perspectives, allow creative and innovative approaches to emerge, and develop a shared vision of the research concepts, methods, and outcomes. Despite its acknowledged value, the integral process of reflexivity is rarely documented in mixed methods social inquiry. In this article, we describe the process of reflexivity through individual and collective team insights gained within a mixed methods study that examined the lived experiences and perceptions of breastfeeding among African American women and their support partners. We describe three components of the reflexivity practice we engaged in: 1) Self-led; 2) Relational and team-led; 3) Methods-focused and team-led. We discuss how this process challenged, shaped, and enriched data analysis, data integration, and finally, our understanding of the research findings.Abstract
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