PhD in Psychology Project Title: Maternal Postnatal Depression and Breastfeeding: Developing and Testing New Psychometric Measure of Breastfeeding Distress

Project advert

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:

1. Convene a group of academics, clinicians, and stakeholders (including mothers) to form an expert panel through which the psychometric items that pertain to breastfeeding distress will be developed and refined.
2. Conduct exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to establish the factor structure.
3. Examine consistency of reports on this measure with other well-established measures of psychological distress used in the perinatal period (concurrent validity).
4. Conduct a longitudinal study in the postnatal period to regularly assess breastfeeding distress and postnatal depression (predictive validity). Collect maternal opinions on the feasibility and acceptability of this data collection protocol. 

Specific Requirements of the Candidate

• Knowledge of the challenges of breastfeeding and potential impacts on maternal mental health.
• Knowledge of the importance of breastfeeding and good maternal mental health for child development.
• Evidence of the ability to synthesise complex information and academic writing skills.
• Quantitative data analysis skills.
• Experience of conducting research, and an understanding of the ethical considerations of conducting research around sensitive topics. 

Funding

The studentship provides 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. 

How to apply

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. 

Expected start date: October 2025

Please quote the reference: H&E_Psych_EB_2025_Breastfeeding

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