Abstract:
The importance of father involvement in the young family is increasingly evident.
This research was conducted using the theory of planned behaviour to understand
important aspects contributing to father invo lvement in the breastfeeding process.
Eighty mothers and 65 fathers of one-year-old children completed a questionnaire
regarding father involvement (FI) in breastfeeding. Measures included attitudes,
subjective norms, and perceived behaviour control regarding FI and the extent to which
fathers demonstrated involvement by advocating for and affIrming breastfeeding, being
present during breastfeeding, providing household help, and being responsive to their
partners' needs.
Results suggest that mothers and fathers experience FI differently.
Mothers' perceptions are motivated by intrinsic attitudinal considerations, whereas
fathers' involvement is primarily motivated by the opinions of others. Interventions
should focus on increasing fathers' perception of societal approval through approaches
such as peer-led groups, and increasing mothers' approval through information of the
value of fathers' involvement in the breastfeeding process.
