Breastfeeding self-efficacy, social support and postpartum depression among nursing mothers

Abstract

Breastfeeding is such an important experience for both the mother and the infant. It is therefore imperative to understand how breastfeeding self-efficacy affects the nursing mother’s initiation and length of breastfeeding. This study was aimed at investigating the association between breastfeeding self-efficacy levels among nursing mothers with social support and postpartum depression and those without. The study used a quantitative approach that included both correlational and comparative study designs. A total sample size of 216 breastfeeding mothers aged between 18 years and 45 years of age were used to collect data. The mothers were selected using the purposive sampling technique. Breastfeeding self-efficacy was measured using the Breastfeeding self-efficacy Scale, social support was measured using the Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support While postpartum depression was measured using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. IBM SPSS version 25 was used in data entry and analysis. Results showed that there was a significant association between levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy among nursing mothers with postpartum depression (M=19.30, SD=7.46) and those without (M= 16.55, SD = 5.84) t=214, P= .018. There was no significant relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy among nursing mothers with social support and those without r=-.030, p=.661. Results also indicated a significant association between social support among nursing mothers with postpartum depression (M= 60.24, SD= 8.98) and those without (M= 65.66, SD = 9.33) t= 214, P= .002. Social support was not a significant mediator between breastfeeding self-efficacy and postpartum depression.