Self-objectification in the context of breastfeeding: A concept analysis

Study on the mediator role of self-esteem in the relationship between female self-objectification and social physique anxiety

BACKGROUND

Women's perception of body image plays an important role in their psychological health; self-objectification and social physique anxiety can affect self-esteem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the mediator of self-esteem in the relationship between self-objectification and social physique anxiety in female students at Hakim Sabzevari University in Sabzevar.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The method of this descriptive research is correlational. The statistical population of this study is all the female students of Sabzevar, Department of Humanities. Using Morgan's table, 291 subjects were selected as a sample. To collect data, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Questionnaire, McKinley and Hyde's Self-Objectification Questionnaire, and Hart et al., Social Physique Anxiety Questionnaire were used. After filling out the questionnaires, the data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 24 and descriptive indexes were used. Also, for correlation, to test the research question, a suitable statistical test such as hierarchical regression was used.

RESULTS

The results of the analysis of statistical data showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between self-objectification and self-esteem. Also, there is a significant positive correlation between this variable and social physique anxiety. Also, using hierarchical regression, the role of mediating self-esteem was confirmed in the relationship between self-objectification and social physique anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Those who have a high score in self-objectification think of themselves as an object and are always concerned about evaluating others based on their body image, so if their body image is not approved by others, they will have a negative assessment of themselves that causes a decrease in their self-esteem followed by an increase in the social anxiety of the organs.

Exclusive breastfeeding in African American women: A concept analysis

AIM

To report an analysis of the concept of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in African American women.

BACKGROUND

EBF is the gold standard for infant nutrition from birth until 6 months. The rate of EBF in United States is low-26%, with African American women having the lowest rates. The low rates of EBF in this population are strongly attributed to bias, racism and generational trauma. Therefore, clarifying the concept of EBF with respect to these factors is important for promoting EBF rates of this population.

DESIGN

Concept analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Search was conducted in four databases (CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus) for articles published between 2001 and 2021. A total of 30 articles (20 quantitative, seven qualitative and three mixed methods) clarified the concept. Relevant literature emanated from diverse disciplines examining historical and present maternal and infant health.

METHODS

Concept analysis using Rodger's evolutionary method.

RESULTS

An operational definition of the concept of EBF in African American women was developed from the identified antecedents (modifiable and non-modifiable), defining attributes and consequences of the concept. Access to breastfeeding resources, maternal (prenatal intention to breastfeed, smoking status, attitude towards breastfeeding), infant (skin-to-skin care, successful latching and weight) and contextual factors (socioeconomic, occupational and cultural) predict EBF. The primary attributes of EBF were physiological, physical, psychological and relational. Consequences of EBF were positive health outcomes for, and increased bonding between, mother and infant.

CONCLUSION

This concept analysis is the first identifying modifiable and non-modifiable antecedents of EBF. The analysis provides an operational definition for EBF in African American women which is useful to promote understanding of breastfeeding. This new concept examines the historic societal trauma associated with wet nursing and reframes breastfeeding as a positive maternal and infant health behaviour.