Impact of social support and breastfeeding success on the self-efficacy levels of adolescent mothers during the postpartum period

Can V., Bulduk M., Can E. K., AYŞİN N.

Reproductive Health, cilt.22, sa.1, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 22 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s12978-025-01960-z
  • Dergi Adı: Reproductive Health
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Adolescent mother, Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding self-efficacy, Breastfeeding success, Maintain breastfeeding, Postpartum, Social support
  • Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: This study aimed to explore the relationship between social support, breastfeeding success, and breastfeeding self-efficacy levels in adolescent mothers, as well as the factors affecting breastfeeding self-efficacy. Methods: Following ethical approval, The Socio-Demographic Data Form, the Breast Milk and Breastfeeding Information Form, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Short Form Scale (BFSES) and the LATCH Breastfeeding Diagnostic and Assessment Scale were used to collect data and the study was completed with 163 participants. Results: The rate of exclusive breastfeeding was found to be 41.1%. Mothers who exclusively breastfed their babies had higher scores on the MSPSS, LATCH, and BFSES scales. Additionally, breastfeeding self-efficacy levels were higher among mothers who initiated breastfeeding within 1 h after birth. The study also found positive correlations between social support, breastfeeding success, and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Conclusions: In conclusion, social support networks, including partners, mothers, and mothers-in-law, should be incorporated into breastfeeding training programs to help adolescent mothers leverage these resources effectively. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.