Associations Between Personality Traits, Self‐Efficacy and Complementary Feeding Behavior Among Infant Caregivers in Western Rural China

Bibliographic Data

ID15536613
AuthorsXinru Zhou (0009-0006-7247-8566, West China Medical Center of Sichuan University), Yonghong Tian (0000-0001-6932-2620, Sichuan University), Zhengjie Cai (0000-0002-5955-6949, West China Medical Center of Sichuan University), Linhua Li (0000-0001-8200-4600, Sichuan University), Yuju Wu (0000-0001-5073-2320, West China Hospital of Sichuan University), Guo Zeng (0000-0002-4239-447X, West China Hospital of Sichuan University), Jieyuan Feng (Stanford University), Scott Rozelle (0000-0001-5053-0243, Stanford University), Hein Raat (0000-0002-6000-7445, Erasmus MC), Huan Zhou (0000-0002-6709-5134, Sichuan University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume21
Issue3
Pagese70021-e70021
Publication date2025-03-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.70021
PMID40079409
OpenAlexW4408420659
LanguageEN
References cited20

The effects of psychological factors on complementary feeding behavior have been widely described, yet the mechanisms underlying the complex relationships among personality traits, self-efficacy, and complementary feeding behavior remain unclear. This cross-sectional study was conducted using a multi-stage cluster sampling process to select caregiver-child dyads in Western rural China. Personality traits, self-efficacy, and complementary feeding behavior were evaluated respectively. Both multiple logistic regression and Bayesian network structure (BNs) were used to explore these associations. A total of 787 caregiver-child dyads were enrolled. Results from multiple logistic regression indicated that caregivers with medium (OR = 2.05, p < 0.001) or high (OR = 1.58, p = 0.04) levels of extraversion, as well as those with high self-efficacy recording complementary feeding (OR = 2.08, p < 0.001), significantly increased the likelihood of meeting the criteria for the Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) qualification. Further, BNs were employed to elucidate the pathways of influence, revealing a direct association between the caregiver's level of extraversion, level of self-efficacy and the ICFI. Additionally, the analysis indicated that a caregiver's openness indirectly influenced the ICFI through its influence on self-efficacy regarding complementary feeding. This is one of few studies exploring associations between personality traits, self-efficacy, and complementary feeding behavior. The study highlights the importance of understanding individual differences in caregiving and suggests that interventions should focus on enhancing caregivers' self-efficacy, rather than solely targeting personality traits

Big Five personality traits · Developmental psychology · Extraversion and introversion · Logistic regression · Openness to experience · Personality · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Self-efficacy · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Social Psychology