Does Functionality Appreciation Mediate the Relationship Between Breastfeeding Attitudes and Breastfeeding
Cristian Di Gesto1, Marta Spinoni1, Caterina Grano1
1Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Nutrients
|May 4, 2026
Summary
Positive attitudes toward breastfeeding are linked to higher breastfeeding intentions in postpartum women, with functionality appreciation playing a key mediating role. Previous breastfeeding experience also positively influences intentions.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Growing empirical interest in positive body image and its relation to breastfeeding.
- Limited research on the specific role of functionality appreciation in postpartum breastfeeding attitudes and intentions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between positive attitudes toward breastfeeding and breastfeeding intentions in postpartum women.
- To investigate the mediating role of functionality appreciation in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 305 postpartum women (1-3 months postpartum).
- Utilized questionnaires to assess breastfeeding attitudes, functionality appreciation, intentions, and previous experience.
- Employed mediation modeling to analyze direct and indirect effects.
Main Results:
- Significant positive associations were found between positive breastfeeding attitudes, intentions, and functionality appreciation.
- Functionality appreciation significantly mediated the relationship between attitudes and intentions (β = 0.21).
- Previous breastfeeding experience was also positively associated with breastfeeding intentions (β = 0.15).
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to explore functionality appreciation's significance in postpartum women regarding breastfeeding.
- Findings suggest potential pathways linking breastfeeding attitudes to intentions, informing future interventions.
- Further research with diverse populations is recommended to validate these preliminary insights.
Keywords:
breastfeeding attitudesbreastfeeding intentionsfunctionality appreciationpositive body imagepostpartum womenMore Related Videos
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