Development and Validation of the Lactation Psychological Needs Scale.

IF 2 4区医学 Q2 NURSING

Journal of Human Lactation Pub Date : 2026-08-01 Epub Date: 2026-04-13 DOI:10.1177/08903344261430141

Kelsie R Barta, Misty M Richmond, Becky Spencer, Sandra K Cesario

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: According to self-determination theory, when an individual's psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are satisfied, human flourishing can occur. The simultaneous satisfaction of the three needs has not yet been examined in the context of lactation and offers a potential explanation for variations in breastfeeding outcomes and well-being among lactating individuals.

Research aim: To develop and preliminarily validate an instrument measuring lactation-related psychological need satisfaction.

Method: Initial items for the Lactation Psychological Needs Scale were developed based on a literature review, and refined based on content validity testing. An online cross-sectional survey was administered in two phases to lactating individuals in the United States (n = 634) to assess validity and reliability.

Results: Exploratory (n = 388) and confirmatory factor analyses (n = 246) in separate samples yielded a three-factor solution with excellent goodness-of-fit (chi-square Bollen-Stine adjusted p = 0.05, root mean square error of approximate: ≤ 0.06, comparative fit index > 0.95, and Tucker-Lewis Index > 0.95). The new instrument includes 12 items on three subscales: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Internal consistency reliability was acceptable for the full scale (0.856) and subscales (0.790-0.861). The full instrument scores and subscale scores were positively correlated with maternal satisfaction with lactation, and negatively correlated with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores.

Conclusion: The results of this study provide preliminary psychometric support for the novel instrument. Self-determination theory provides an opportunity for a new paradigm in understanding behavior and well-being among lactating individuals. Further validation of the instrument is required.

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哺乳心理需求量表的编制与验证。

背景：根据自我决定理论，当个体对自主性、能力和相关性的心理需求得到满足时，人类就会繁荣。这三种需求的同时满足还没有在哺乳的背景下进行研究，这为哺乳个体的母乳喂养结果和幸福感的变化提供了一个潜在的解释。研究目的：研制并初步验证一种测量哺乳相关心理需求满意度的仪器。方法：在查阅文献的基础上编制泌乳心理需求量表的初始项目，并通过内容效度检验对其进行细化。一项在线横断面调查分两个阶段对美国哺乳期个体（n = 634）进行，以评估有效性和可靠性。结果：对不同样本进行探索性因子分析（n = 388）和验证性因子分析（n = 246），得出了一个具有良好拟合优度的三因素解决方案（卡方Bollen-Stine校正p = 0.05，均方根误差近似：≤0.06，比较拟合指数> 0.95，Tucker-Lewis指数> 0.95）。新量表包括三个子量表上的12个项目：自主性、能力和相关性。全量表（0.856）和子量表（0.790-0.861）的内部一致性信度可接受。全量表得分和子量表得分与产妇哺乳满意度呈正相关，与爱丁堡产后抑郁量表得分呈负相关。结论：本研究结果为该仪器提供了初步的心理测量学支持。自我决定理论为理解哺乳期个体的行为和幸福提供了一个新的范式。需要对仪器进行进一步的验证。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Human Lactation 医学-妇产科学

CiteScore

5.00

自引率

11.50%

发文量

100

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Committed to the promotion of diversity and equity in all our policies and practices, our aims are: To provide our readers and the international communities of clinicians, educators and scholars working in the field of lactation with current and quality-based evidence, from a broad array of disciplines, including the medical sciences, basic sciences, social sciences and the humanities. To provide student and novice researchers, as well as, researchers whose native language is not English, with expert editorial guidance while preparing their work for publication in JHL. In each issue, the Journal of Human Lactation publishes original research, original theoretical and conceptual articles, discussions of policy and practice issues, and the following special features: Advocacy: A column that discusses a ‘hot’ topic in lactation advocacy About Research: A column focused on an in-depth discussion of a different research topic each issue Lactation Newsmakers: An interview with a widely-recognized outstanding expert in the field from around the globe Research Commentary: A brief discussion of the issues raised in a specific research article published in the current issue Book review(s): Reviews written by content experts about relevant new publications International News Briefs: From major international lactation organizations.