The interplay between emotional and breastfeeding difficulties in first-time mothers.
Saved in:
| Title: | The interplay between emotional and breastfeeding difficulties in first-time mothers. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | García, María Ignacia (AUTHOR), Coo, Soledad (AUTHOR), Valdés, Verónica (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology. Jan2026, Vol. 44 Issue 1, p115-128. 14p. |
| Subjects: | Breastfeeding, Statistical correlation, Self-evaluation, Repeated measures design, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Pearson correlation (Statistics), Mental health, Health status indicators, Self-efficacy, Secondary analysis, T-test (Statistics), Data analysis, Research funding, Questionnaires, Scientific observation, Multiple regression analysis, Logistic regression analysis, Emotions, Attitudes of mothers, Parenting, Anxiety, Chi-squared test, Psychology of mothers, Research, Statistics, Motherhood, Social support, Psychological tests, Mental depression |
| Geographic Terms: | Chile |
| Abstract: | Aim/Background: Both mental maternal health and breastfeeding difficulties impact maternal and infant health. The present study analyses the association between psychosocial and breastfeeding variables and maternal mental health. Design/Methods: The participants were 107 first-time mothers from Chile. Sociodemographic variables and breastfeeding difficulties were assessed at 6 weeks postpartum. Depression and anxiety symptoms, parental self-efficacy, and perceived social support were measured using validated, self-report questionnaires at 6 weeks and 5 months postpartum. This study is a secondary analysis of an intervention trial. Results: 76% of the women reported having experienced some breastfeeding difficulty in the first postpartum weeks. The number of breastfeeding difficulties was associated with maternal mental health symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum and parental self-efficacy at both assessment times. Women who did not experience breastfeeding difficulties presented significantly fewer depressive (t(102) = 2.5, p =.015) and anxiety symptoms (t(50) = 2.3, p =.028) at 6 weeks postpartum than those who did. Mothers who exclusively breastfed at 5 months postpartum presented significantly higher parental self-efficacy (t(94) = 2.4, p =.044). A higher number of breastfeeding difficulties and low perceived social support contributed to higher depressive symptoms (R2 =.30; F(3,103) = 14.6, p <.001), anxiety symptoms (R2 =.32, F(3.103) = 17.27, p <.001) and lower parental self-efficacy at 6 weeks postpartum (R2 =.39; F(2,103) = 9.4, p <.001). Conclusion: Breastfeeding difficulties and social support are associated with fewer mental health symptoms and higher parental self-efficacy during early postpartum in first-time mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Aim/Background: Both mental maternal health and breastfeeding difficulties impact maternal and infant health. The present study analyses the association between psychosocial and breastfeeding variables and maternal mental health. Design/Methods: The participants were 107 first-time mothers from Chile. Sociodemographic variables and breastfeeding difficulties were assessed at 6 weeks postpartum. Depression and anxiety symptoms, parental self-efficacy, and perceived social support were measured using validated, self-report questionnaires at 6 weeks and 5 months postpartum. This study is a secondary analysis of an intervention trial. Results: 76% of the women reported having experienced some breastfeeding difficulty in the first postpartum weeks. The number of breastfeeding difficulties was associated with maternal mental health symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum and parental self-efficacy at both assessment times. Women who did not experience breastfeeding difficulties presented significantly fewer depressive (t(102) = 2.5, p =.015) and anxiety symptoms (t(50) = 2.3, p =.028) at 6 weeks postpartum than those who did. Mothers who exclusively breastfed at 5 months postpartum presented significantly higher parental self-efficacy (t(94) = 2.4, p =.044). A higher number of breastfeeding difficulties and low perceived social support contributed to higher depressive symptoms (R2 =.30; F(3,103) = 14.6, p <.001), anxiety symptoms (R2 =.32, F(3.103) = 17.27, p <.001) and lower parental self-efficacy at 6 weeks postpartum (R2 =.39; F(2,103) = 9.4, p <.001). Conclusion: Breastfeeding difficulties and social support are associated with fewer mental health symptoms and higher parental self-efficacy during early postpartum in first-time mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 02646838 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/02646838.2024.2342893 |
