Pubmed: Investigation of factors associated with mindful breastfeeding in breastfeeding women through structural equation modeling
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Abstract
Background: Breastfeeding has numerous benefits for women and supports the developmental needs of newborns and is a dynamic process influenced by behavioral, psychological and social factors. Understanding the relationships among these elements may yield significant insights for developing informed breastfeeding practices that promote maternal health and improve breastfeeding outcomes. This study sought to investigate the correlation among depression, breastfeeding self-efficacy, mindful nursing, and perceived social support in breastfeeding moms using the application of a structural equation model.
Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 990 breastfeeding mothers in Turkey. Data were collected using the Mindful Breastfeeding Scale (MINDF-BFS), Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS). The relationships between variables were analyzed using SEM (Structural Equation Model).
Results: Path analysis using structural equation modeling revealed significant relationships between internal variables (EPDS, BSES, MINDF-BFS) and external variables (MPSSS – family, friend, special person sub-dimensions), with the model demonstrating good fit (χ²/df = 1.595, CFI = 0.999, RMSEA = 0.025). Higher family (β = − 0.364, p < 0.001) and friend (β = − 0.121, p < 0.01) support were associated with lower Edinburgh Depression scores. In the final model, increases in family (β = 0.118, p < 0.01) and breastfeeding self-efficacy (β = 0.486, p < 0.001) scores were associated with higher Mindful Breastfeeding scores.
Conclusion: Family and friend support plays a critical role in reducing postpartum depression and increasing breastfeeding self-efficacy, reinforcing mindfulness-based breastfeeding behaviors. Therefore, interventions that increase both social support and breastfeeding self-efficacy should be prioritized in mother-focused programs.