Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Education and Promotion

Advisor

CHERI N. LANGLEY

Abstract

The persistence of racial disparities in breastfeeding is associated with a range of interconnected factors, such as historical, cultural, social, social, and psychological. The current gap in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among Black mothers and White mothers has led to rising concerns in the United States. A basic qualitative approach was used to conceptualize the multidimensional constructs of the social–ecological model to investigate the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and community-level structures and existing policies in birthing centers that inadvertently harbor biases that impede care for Black mothers. Data were gathered through purposeful sampling and semistructured interviews with 10 Black mothers to acquire a contextual understanding of the experiences, attitudes, and beliefs among this population to reveal how perceptions of racism and discrimination in birthing centers can create negative implications for health-seeking behavior. The data show that many of the participants were less likely to obtain proper breastfeeding care and expressed underutilization of health services to meet their breastfeeding goals. The results of this study provide insight into the perceptions of implicit bias, racism, and discrimination in the institutional structure and existing policies of birthing centers, which can influence exclusive breastfeeding practices among Black mothers. The results of this study could lead to potential positive social change by providing insight into how to reduce exclusive breastfeeding disparities and assist with developing best practices for management and support of exclusive breastfeeding, which subsequently can lead to higher breastfeeding rates that could positively influence health outcomes among Black women and their children.

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