An Intergenerational Exploration of Breastfeeding Journeys Through the Lens of African American Mothers and Grandmothers

2021 ◽  
pp. 089033442199930
Author(s):  
Mary M. Muse ◽  
Jerome E. Morris ◽  
Joan E. Dodgson
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
African American Families ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Future Research ◽  
African American Mothers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
American Families

Background Many individuals comprise a nursing mother’s social support network. Grandmothers within African American families, historically, have played a vital role in the transmission of culture. Understanding intergenerational perspectives within African American families related to infant feeding and scholarship about breastfeeding is critical, given the breastfeeding patterns among African American women. Research aim To describe intergenerational perspectives within African American families, where the mother has successfully breastfed. Methods A prospective, cross-sectional, qualitative design using semi-structured interviews was used. African American nursing mothers and maternal grandmothers ( N = 14) residing in the Metro–St. Louis area, who reflected economic and educational diversity, were recruited. Inductive and iterative data analysis, framed by Black Feminist Theory allowed for emerging patterns reflecting the participants’ voices. Results Three of the six (50%) grandmother participants had breastfed. The majority of the mother participants were married ( n = 5; 62.5%) and had a college degree ( n = 4; 50.0%) or a high school diploma ( n = 1; 12.5%); and four (50.0%) had received the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Three patterns emerged: (a) intergenerational connections; (b) changes in breastfeeding experiences over time; and (c) going with the flow (referring to the choice to work within the constraints of one’s circumstances). Grandmothers supported mothers’ breastfeeding decisions; grandmothers who had breastfed benefited from the updated information the mothers provided; and grandmothers who did not breastfeed acquired new breastfeeding knowledge, which informed the ways they supported the mothers. Conclusion The intergenerational perspectives surrounding breastfeeding within African American families participating in this study offer future research directions.

scholarly journals Genetic and Environmental Risks for High Blood Pressure Among African American Mothers and Daughters

2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn Y. Taylor ◽  
Rosanna Maddox ◽  
Chun Yi Wu
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Sodium Intake ◽  
Buccal Swab ◽  
African American Mothers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mothers And Daughters ◽  
American Women

Objective: To determine the relationship between genetic and environmental lifestyle factors (physical activity and sodium) on blood pressure (BP) among African-American women. Method: In this cross-sectional study involving 108 African-American mothers and daughters from a Midwestern area, investigators obtained BP measurements, information on minutes of physical activity, amount of sodium intake, and buccal swab saliva samples. Results: Of the 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the sodium bicarbonate cotransporter gene (SLC4A5), rs8179526 had a statistically significant interaction with cytosine/thymine (C/T) genotype by sodium status on systolic BP (SBP; p = .0077). For gene × physical activity interaction, 2 significant interactions (cytosine/adenine [C/A] genotype by physical activity and adenine/adenine [A/A] genotype by physical activity, p = .0107 and p = .0171, respectively) on SBP and 1 on diastolic BP (DBP; A/A genotype by physical activity, p = .0233) were found on rs1017783. Two significant guanine/adenine [G/A] genotype by physical activity interactions were found on rs6731545 for SBP and DBP (p = .0160 and p = .0492, respectively). Discussion: A gene × environmental interaction with rs8179526 has a protective effect on SBP in African-American women with high sodium intake. Participants with C/T genotype of rs8179526 who consumed greater than 2,300 mg of sodium had lower SBP than those who consumed less than recommended. Women with thymine/thymine (T/T) genotype of rs8179526 who consumed greater than 2,300 mg had lower SBP than those who consumed less. Awareness of both the protective and deleterious properties of rs8179526 in African-American women may one day assist in determining appropriate treatment plans.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of DNA Methylation and Preterm Birth in African American Women

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Barcelona de Mendoza ◽  
Michelle L. Wright ◽  
Comfort Agaba ◽  
Laura Prescott ◽  
Alexandra Desir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
African American ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
American Women ◽  
Study Designs

Background: The causes of many cases of preterm birth (PTB) remain enigmatic. Increased understanding of how epigenetic factors are associated with health outcomes has resulted in studies examining DNA methylation (DNAm) as a contributing factor to PTB. However, few studies on PTB and DNAm have included African American women, the group with the highest rate of PTB. Methods: The objective of this review was to systematically analyze the existing studies on DNAm and PTB among African American women. Results: Studies ( N = 10) were limited by small sample size, cross-sectional study designs, inconsistent methodologies for epigenomic analysis, and evaluation of different tissue types across studies. African Americans comprised less than half of the sample in 50% of the studies reviewed. Despite these limitations, there is evidence for an association between DNAm patterns and PTB. Conclusions: Future research on DNAm patterns and PTB should use longitudinal study designs, repeated DNAm testing, and a clinically relevant definition of PTB and should include large samples of high-risk African American women to better understand the mechanisms for PTB in this population.

scholarly journals “…[T]his is What We are Missing”: The Value of Communicating Infant Feeding Information Across Three Generations of African American Women

2021 ◽  
pp. 089033442199507
Author(s):  
Alexis L. Woods Barr ◽  
Deborah A. Austin ◽  
Jacquana L. Smith ◽  
Ellen J. Schafer
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
African American Families ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
American Women ◽  
Three Generations ◽  
American Families ◽  
Familial Roles

Background Breast/Chestfeeding remains a public health issue for African Americans, and increased rates would mitigate many health disparities, thus promoting health equity. Research Aims To explore the interplay of generational familial roles and meaning (or value) ascribed to communicating infant feeding information across three generations. Method This prospective, cross-sectional qualitative study used an asset-driven approach and was guided by Black Feminist Thought and Symbolic Interactionism. African American women ( N = 35; 15 family triads/dyads), residing in the southeastern United States were interviewed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The older two generations described their role using assertive yet nurturing terms, while the younger generation carefully discussed the flexibility between their familial roles. Emergent themes described the meaning each generation attributed to communicating infant feeding information: “My Responsibility,” “Comforting,” “Bonding Experience,” “She Cared,” and “Gained Wisdom.” Conclusions Our findings have potential to contribute to achieving health equity in African American families. Future breast/chestfeeding promotion efforts may benefit from reframing the current approach to including protection language and not solely support language. Lactation professionals should further recognize and support strengths and resource-richness of intergenerational infant feeding communication within African American families using strength-based, empowerment-oriented, and ethnically sensitive approaches.

scholarly journals The Experience of African-American Women with Multiple Sclerosis

2020 ◽  
pp. 0000-0000
Author(s):  
Alexa Stuifbergen ◽  
Heather Becker ◽  
Carolyn Phillips ◽  
Shalonda Horton ◽  
Janet Morrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
African Americans ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
American Women ◽  
Health Promotion Behaviors

Abstract Background: Despite growing understanding that African-Americans may have a more aggressive course of multiple sclerosis (MS) and experience disparities in diagnosis and treatment, fewer studies have examined how African-Americans experience MS and its impact on their lives. This study explored the experience of African American women living with MS in order to inform future research and practice. Methods: Face-to face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 African-American women. Inductive content analysis was used to identify major categories and sub-categories. Results: The analyses yielded three major categories: No one could believe I had MS; It's tough living with MS; and You have to keep going. Many women reported that the MS diagnosis was a surprise to them and their doctors because of the common belief that MS is a “Caucasian disease.” For this reason, many women felt their diagnosis had been delayed while their physicians initially focused on other diseases considered more typical in African-Americans. Living with losses related to social and family activities, independence and employment was especially challenging for them. Faith in God, coming to grips with the diagnosis and health promotion behaviors were key strategies for dealing with their MS. Women also spoke of pushing forward, working through MS challenges, and taking care of themselves, thus preserving their identity as strong Black women, a culturally important construct in the African-American community. Conclusions: Future research should explore the interactions of culture with coping strategies and the development of useful and valued resources and supports for African-Americans with MS.

scholarly journals Sink or Swim: Virtual Life Challenges among African American Families during COVID-19 Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4290
Author(s):  
Adaobi Anakwe ◽  
Wilson Majee ◽  
Kemba Noel-London ◽  
Iris Zachary ◽  
Rhonda BeLue
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
African American Families ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Collaborative Engagement ◽  
American Families

This study explores African American parents’ experiences with using technology to engage their children in meaningful activities (e.g., e-learning) during COVID-19 and its impact on family health. Eleven African American families were recruited through a local health department program from a rural Midwestern community to participate in semi-structured interviews. Majority of participants reported stresses from feelings of “sink or swim” in a digital world, without supports from schools to effectively provide for their children’s technology needs. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of family-school collaborative engagement and empowerment. Digital technology needs to become part of our school education system so that technology use among African Americans is elevated and families protected against future outbreaks. Further research with a more diverse African American sample is needed.

Outcome Evaluation of Family Eats

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Weber Cullen ◽  
Debbe Thompson ◽  
Tzu-An Chen
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Group Home ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
African American Families ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
American Families

This article presents the results of a randomized clinical trial evaluating the eight-session Family Eats web-based intervention promoting healthy home food environments for African American families. African American families ( n = 126) with 8- to 12-year-old children completed online baseline questionnaires and were randomized into intervention or control groups. Data collection occurred at baseline, immediately postintervention (Post 1), and 4 months later (Post 2), for parents and children, separately. There were two group by time intervention effects: Control group parents reported a significantly greater frequency of drinking 100% fruit juice at Post 1 compared with intervention group parents. Parent menu planning skills were significantly higher at Post 2 for the intervention group compared with the control group. Significant positive changes overtime were noted for both groups for home fruit/vegetable availability, food preparation practices, and healthy restaurant selection. Intervention group children reported a significant increase in home juice availability at Post 1 compared with the control group; home fruit availability improved for both groups. There was no difference in log on rates by group: 84% and 86% for those who completed Post 1 and Post 2 measurements, respectively. Sixty-four participants completed the evaluation survey: 17 control (50%) and 47 intervention (51%) participants. All participants reported liking the program components; all but one gave it an A or B grade. An Internet-delivered nutrition intervention for families was successful in achieving change in some mediating variables, with good log on rates. Future research with Family Eats should include larger sample sizes, with longer follow-up and a more objective measure of diet.

Middle-class African American families’ expectations for adolescents’ behavioural autonomy

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 371-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Daddis ◽  
Judith Smetana
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
African American Families ◽  
African American Mothers ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
American Families

Timetables for adolescents’ behavioural autonomy were examined using a modified version of Feldman and Quatman’s (1988) teen timetable measure with 73 middle-class African American middle adolescents (M age 1 / 4 14.96 years, SD 1 / 4 1.29) and their parents (73 mothers and 44 fathers), who were followed longitudinally for 3 years. African American mothers’ and fathers’ expectations for adolescents’ behavioural autonomy did not differ, but expectations varied greatly across issues, and mothers consistently endorsed later timetables than did adolescents. Autonomy expectations each could be described in terms of two empirically derived, conceptually meaningful, and internally consistent composites pertaining to personal and prudential issues. They were earlier for personal than prudential issues and for prudential issues, for boys than for girls. Mothers’ (but not adolescents’) expectations for the desired timing of adolescents’ autonomy over personal and prudential issues predicted increased autonomy over those issues 3 years later.

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