Exploring the Meanings that Dietitians Associate with their Role of Mother and Dietitian and How They Translate into Child-feeding Practices

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
17 February 2015

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the meanings that dietitians associate with their role of mother and dietitian and how they translate into child-feeding practices.
Methods: The ideological case-study approach of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, a qualitative research design, was utilized. A convenience sample of 3 dietitians was recruited from the faculty of a university nutrition department. Dietitians participated in semi-structured interviews that were voice-recorded and transcribed. Data were thematically organized and interpreted using the theory of Symbolic Interactionism.
Results: Five themes were developed: the evolution of food-related practices, tensions between the role of dietitian and mother, mealtime interaction, integration of dietetic values in child-feeding practices, and the individuality of the mother. Dietitian mothers used various parenting styles when interacting with their children. Their beliefs about best practice in child-feeding correspond with the recommendations of their dietetic profession. Their perception of what it meant to be a good mother was influenced by their identity as a dietitian.
Relevance to Practice: Dietitian mothers need to be aware of the influence of professional discourse; professional thoughts can influence personal thoughts and actions related to child-feeding practices. Further exploration of the topic including maternal and child-feeding practices from the child's perspective is warranted.

Résumé

Objectif. Explorer la signification que les diététistes associent à leur rôle de mère et de diététiste, et la manière dont celle-ci se reflète dans leurs pratiques d'alimentation des enfants.
Méthodes. L'approche d’étude de cas idéologique de l'analyse phénoménologique interprétative, une méthodologie de recherche qualitative, a été employée. Un échantillon de commodité composé de 3 diététistes a été recruté parmi les membres du corps professoral d'un département de nutrition universitaire. Les diététistes ont participé à des entrevues semi-structurées qui étaient enregistrées et transcrites. Les données étaient organisées de façon thématique et interprétées à l'aide de la théorie de l'interactionnisme symbolique.
Résultats. Cinq thèmes ont été développés : l’évolution des pratiques alimentaires, les tensions entre le rôle de diététiste et le rôle de mère, les interactions durant la période des repas, l'intégration des valeurs de la diététique aux pratiques d'alimentation des enfants et l'individualité de la mère. Les mères diététistes avaient recours à divers styles parentaux lorsqu'elles interagissaient avec leurs enfants. Leurs croyances concernant les meilleures pratiques en matière d'alimentation des enfants correspondaient aux recommandations qu'elles formulent en tant que diététistes. Par ailleurs, leur perception de ce que signifiait être une bonne mère était influencée par leur identité de diététiste.
Pertinence pour la pratique. Les mères diététistes doivent être conscientes de l'impact de leur discours professionnel; les idées professionnelles peuvent influencer les réflexions et les actions personnelles relatives aux pratiques d'alimentation des enfants. Une analyse plus approfondie du sujet s'impose, entre autres un examen de la perception qu'ont les enfants des pratiques d'alimentation maternelle et infantile.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 76Number 1March 2015
Pages: 15 - 20

History

Version of record online: 17 February 2015

Authors

Affiliations

Rebecca Coughlin BScAHN, RD
Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS
Daphne Lordly EdD, PDt
Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS

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