A GT study to elicit why women who initiate BF do not access local PS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Grounded Theory study to elicit the reasons why women who initiate breastfeeding do not access local peer support provision.
IRAS ID
127810
Contact name
Gillian Thomson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Central Lancashire (UClan)
Research summary
Cornwall has embraced peer support for breastfeeding; with 35 mum to mum peer support groups run and ‘owned’ by around 250 Peer Supporters. Most women initiating breastfeeding in the County, in theory, have easy access to local peer support. Despite this provision, it is estimated that only around 30% of initiators access peer support.
The project is being undertaken for a Masters by Research qualification and aims to understand why women who initiate breastfeeding do not access peer support services.
Qualitative research has explored women’s experiences of peer support and reveals how valuable these women found it in terms of breastfeeding duration and maternal well being. Initial literature review reveals that there is very limited information available about the experiences of breastfeeding women who do not access peer support. Furthermore, despite the identification, via mainly quantitative research, of the importance of access to peer support in the research literature, there remains sparse qualitative investigation into this problem.
This study will use Grounded Theory (GT) methodology. GT is useful for areas where theory is sparse because it enables learning about participants personal experiences whilst simultaneously building theoretical understanding of the area.
Following a broad scoping of the literature, and the gathering of background information, semi -structured interviews with 10-15 women who have initiated breastfeeding but have not accessed peer support will be undertaken. Also, because of their roles in providing and signposting to the service, 10 -15 health care professionals and peer supporters will also be interviewed to elicit their views and experiences of peer support.
The potential benefit of the study is the identification of key areas to address in order to enable more women to access the services; and to increase breastfeeding rates.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/0775
Date of REC Opinion
21 May 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion