Associations Among Perceived Stress, Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, and Breastfeeding Intention Among Pregnant Women in Taiwan.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine associations among perceived stress, prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy, and breastfeeding intention among pregnant women in Taiwan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 200 pregnant women from a prenatal outpatient clinic in central Taiwan. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, and Infant Feeding Intentions Scale. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple regression analyses were performed.

Results: Mean scores were 16.37 (SD = 5.15) for perceived stress, 73.25 (SD = 13.08) for prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy, and 9.87 (SD = 3.71) for breastfeeding intention. Perceived stress was negatively correlated with prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy (r = - .36, p < .001) and breastfeeding intention (r = - .18, p = .013), whereas prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy was positively correlated with breastfeeding intention (r = .29, p < .001). In multiple regression, prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy (β = 0.17, p = .018), a prenatal plan to breastfeed (β = 0.49, p < .001), and age (β = 0.12, p = .049) were significantly associated with breastfeeding intention, explaining 35% of the variance. In sensitivity analysis excluding the breastfeeding-plan variable, prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy remained significantly associated with breastfeeding intention (β = 0.29, p < .001).

Conclusions for practice: Higher prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and a prenatal plan to breastfeed were independently associated with stronger breastfeeding intention, whereas perceived stress was associated with weaker intention only in bivariate analyses. Prenatal care may provide opportunities to assess breastfeeding confidence and discuss feeding plans. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether support targeting these factors improves postpartum breastfeeding outcomes.