Do social norms matter in breastfeeding?

Last registered on December 29, 2024

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Do social norms matter in breastfeeding?
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0015076
Initial registration date
December 23, 2024

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
December 29, 2024, 11:08 PM EST

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Region

Primary Investigator

Affiliation
University of Hyogo

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Affiliation
Faculty of Data Science, Shiga University
PI Affiliation
Faculty of Human Sciences and Design Department of Household Economics, Japan Women’s University,
PI Affiliation
Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University

Additional Trial Information

Status
On going
Start date
2024-10-01
End date
2024-12-31
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
The aim of this research is to clarify the impact of “breastfeeding myths” in Japan on the behavior and attitudes of mothers. As breastfeeding myths such as “breast milk is the proof of love” and “powdered formula is a way of cutting corners” spread, mothers are under excessive pressure, which leads to mental stress. We will investigate the impact of these social expectations on the child-rearing behavior and mental health of mothers, and clarify the extent to which breastfeeding myths as social norms are misconceived. Furthermore, we will examine how correcting breastfeeding myths by providing correct information will affect mothers' attitudes of breastfeeding, and aim to make policy recommendations to promote a healthy childcare environment.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Ishikawa, Yumi et al. 2024. "Do social norms matter in breastfeeding? ." AEA RCT Registry. December 29. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.15076-1.0
Sponsors & Partners

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Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Intervention (Hidden)
・ Empirical Expectations: Provides information on the empirical norm of breastfeeding for Japanese women across the country.
・ Normative Expectations: Provides information on the normative norm of breastfeeding for Japanese women across the country.
・ Control Group
Group members are randomly assigned.
Intervention Start Date
2024-12-19
Intervention End Date
2024-12-24

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Our primary outcome of interest is change in women’s attitude to breastfeeding, i.e., normative norms, future plan for type of breastfeeding, psychological burden of breastfeeding.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
We conduct online survey experiments and randomly inform women about the actual social norm of breastfeeding among women. Specifically, we will provide information on the correct empirical and normative norms for Japanese women nationwide to each treatment group.
Experimental Design Details
Randomization Method
Randomization will be done in office by a computer.
Randomization Unit
Individual
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
N/A
Sample size: planned number of observations
The company aims to call about 1,700 Mother of a zero-year-old (excluding single-mother households).
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
We will distribute the approximately 1,700 potential samples equally between the treatment and control groups. The ratio may differ slightly depending on the response rate.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
Kobe university
IRB Approval Date
2024-11-27
IRB Approval Number
N/A

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials