UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Lopez, Alexa A.
Dept./Program:
Psychology
Year:
2013
Degree:
M.A.
Abstract:
There is a robust association between smoking status and breastfeeding, with smokers being at increased risk for inadequate breastfeeding. The purpose of the present study was two-fold: First we wanted to provide a more detailed and quantitative characterization of this relationship between smoking status and breastfeeding among women who were smokers upon leaming of their pregnancy but had already quit smoking prior to entering prenatal care (i.e., spontaneous quitters). Second, we wanted to examine delay discounting (DD) and educational attainment as potential moderators of this relationship between smoking status and breastfeeding. Participants were 111 participants in clinical trials on preventing relapse among spontaneous quitters. Smoking status was biochemically verified and breastfeeding assessed at 2-,4-, 8-, 12-, and 24weeks postpartum (PP). A subsample of 57 women also consented to genetic analyses of individual differences involving the dopamine system.
Breastfeeding rates were significantly higher among abstainers vs. smokers at each PP assessment and smoking status was a robust predictor of breastfeeding at the same assessment and prospectively. Additionally, the relationship was bi-directional, with breastfeeding also predicting smoking status at the same assessment and prospectively. Educational attainment but not DD was a significant moderator of the relationship between smoking status and breastfeeding, although in all models smoking status remained a significant predictor even after accounting for the influence of educational attainment and other potential moderators. Neither DD nor educational attainment entered the models of breastfeeding predicting smoking status. None of the genetic characteristics examined predicted smoking status or breastfeeding after considering the influence of other potential predictors.
Overall, these results further document a robust relationship between smoking and early weaning among spontaneous quitters while providing a more detailed and quantitative characterization of the relationship across time and the role of potential moderators than has been reported previously. The results demonstrate an important contribution of educational attainment but not DD to the relationship between smoking status and breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding rates were significantly higher among abstainers vs. smokers at each PP assessment and smoking status was a robust predictor of breastfeeding at the same assessment and prospectively. Additionally, the relationship was bi-directional, with breastfeeding also predicting smoking status at the same assessment and prospectively. Educational attainment but not DD was a significant moderator of the relationship between smoking status and breastfeeding, although in all models smoking status remained a significant predictor even after accounting for the influence of educational attainment and other potential moderators. Neither DD nor educational attainment entered the models of breastfeeding predicting smoking status. None of the genetic characteristics examined predicted smoking status or breastfeeding after considering the influence of other potential predictors.
Overall, these results further document a robust relationship between smoking and early weaning among spontaneous quitters while providing a more detailed and quantitative characterization of the relationship across time and the role of potential moderators than has been reported previously. The results demonstrate an important contribution of educational attainment but not DD to the relationship between smoking status and breastfeeding.