The Effect of Fathers' Support for Breastfeeding Process on Mothers' Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Father-Baby Attachment: A Cross-Sectional and Correlational Study

Abstract

ABS TRACT Objective: The purpose of the study is to examine the ef- fects of father’s support to breastfeeding process on breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers and attachment of father and infant. Material and Methods: The research is in cross-sectional type. The sample of the study consisted of 400 parents living in different cities in Türkiye (n=400). Online data collection forms that participants could apply themselves were created in the web and delivered to parents by using social media accounts, internet and social media sharing platforms about breastfeeding. Percentage, average, standard deviation, student t, one-way ANOVA (post hoc: Bonferroni), Pearson correlation tests were used for data analysis. Results: It was determined that 35.4% of mothers and 36.9% of fathers participated in the study. In the study, the mean breastfeeding self-efficacy score of the mothers was 55.30±9.28, the mean breastfeeding support score of the fathers was 131.42±28.69, and the mean father-baby attachment score was 75.11±9.41. It is observed that there is a highly positive, weak linear relationship between mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy scores and fa- thers’ understanding of breastfeeding, helping, valuing, readiness, sensitivity sub-dimensions, total score and median attachment scores (p<0.001). In this study, it was determined that fathers’ support to breastfeeding effects mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy and father in- fant attachment positively (p<0.001). Conclusion: I n this study, it was determined that fathers’ support for breastfeeding positively affected mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy and father-infant attachment. Health professionals should support fathers to provide them supporting their wifes for breastfeeding.