Association of Emotional Intelligence of Primigravida Mothers with Breastfeeding Self-efficacy in the Early Postpartum Period and Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates up to 6 Months.

Abstract

Introduction: Breastfeeding prevents the mortality and morbidity in children. The psychosocial factors, including breastfeeding self-efficacy (BSES SF), play a crucial role in breastfeeding success. Emotional intelligence (EI) facilitates people to comprehend and manage their own emotions and solve problems. We aimed to investigate the correlation between BSES SF and EI and their relation to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates till 6 months of age.

Materials and methods: A hospital-based longitudinal study was undertaken in 185 primigravid women. Breastfeeding self-efficacy scale - short form (BFSE- SF) and EI questionnaire were administered to postnatal mother between 24 and 48 h after labor. The mothers were followed up at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months, and the feeding pattern was recorded.

Results: The participant's mean age was 24.6 (±3.8) years. Mean BFSE SF score was 60.4(±5.8). The mean EI score of the study subjects was 112 (±20.3). Mean EI scores showed a significant positive correlation with the BFSE SF scores (r 0.38, P < 0.001). EBF practices were seen in 96.8% of the infants at 2 months, 86.5% at 4 months, and 71.4% at 6 months, respectively. EBF practices at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months showed a significant association with BFSE SF scores but not with EI scores.

Conclusions: We observed a positive correlation between the BFSE SF scores and EI scores. Breastfeeding self-efficacy was a determinant of exclusive breastfeeding practices till 6 months of age. EI did not have any association with exclusive breast-feeding practices.