Successful breastfeeding and good maternal mental health are global health goals and key to long term health of both mothers and their children. However, relationships between breastfeeding and maternal mental health are highly complex, but poorly understood. Women with postnatal depression are less likely to breastfeed, but we also know that approximately 70% of women experience difficulties with breastfeeding, such as breast pain and breast infections. Often judgement, stigma, stress and guilt are experienced by mothers who are unable to breastfeed, which might lead to, and/or exacerbate postnatal depression and anxiety. So, it is currently unclear whether depression makes it more difficult to breastfeed, or if breastfeeding difficulties cause new onset or exacerbate existing poor mental health, or both. Part of the challenge of studying this topic is that we do not currently have a valid and reliable method for measuring breastfeeding difficulties and associated psychological distress. The aim of this doctoral research, therefore, is to develop and validate a novel measure of breastfeeding distress that can be used in future research to disentangle the relationship between postnatal depression and breastfeeding difficulties
Project aims and objectives
Aim: Co-develop (with mothers and other stakeholders) and validate a new psychometric for breastfeeding distress.
Objectives:
The studentship is fully funded by the NWCDTP, with fees paid plus an annual stipend at the UKRI standard rate (£19,237 per year for 2024-2025).
Please note, this project is only available to Home students only due to the nature of the funding source.
Interested applicants should contact Dr Elizabeth Braithwaite (e.braithwaite@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion.
To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Psychology (or download the PGR application form).
You should also complete the narrative CV form addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest.
If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section, or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk.
Closing date: 14 March 2025
Expected start date: October 2025
Please quote the reference: H&E_Psych_EB_2025_Breastfeeding
This project is only available to Home students only due to the nature of the funding source
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