Association between perceived social support and breastfeeding self-efficacy among iranian mothers: a cross-sectional study

Association between perceived social support and breastfeeding self-efficacy among iranian mothers: a cross-sectional study. Download PDF Abstract Breastfeeding self-efficacy (BSE) refers to a mother’s confidence in her ability to successfully breastfeed and is associated with breastfeeding-related behaviors and outcomes. Perceived social support (PSS) may be related to maternal BSE; however, evidence from Iran remains limited.

This study examined the association between PSS and BSE among breastfeeding mothers. This cross-sectional study included 323 breastfeeding mothers recruited through multistage cluster sampling from health centers in Rasht, Iran, between June and October 2024. Data were collected using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (BSES-SF) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).

Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multivariable logistic regression were performed. For the logistic regression analysis, the total BSE score was dichotomized at the study-specific sample mean into below-mean and at-or-above-mean categories. Perceived Family Support, Perceived Friend Support, and Perceived Significant Others Support were entered as separate explanatory variables, together with prespecified sociodemographic and obstetric covariates.

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