Development of a Breastfeeding Support Scale for Couples

Chiaki Moriwaki1, Mari Haku

  • 1Graduate School of Health Sciences, Tokushima University.

The aim of this study was to develop a Breastfeeding Support Scale for Couples (BSSC) and to examine its reliability and validity. The BSSC was designed to evaluate current state of mutual support necessary for breastfeeding from the perspective of wife as support recipient, and husband as support provider. Subjects were 324 wives who came for their 1-month postpartum checkup and their husbands. Valid responses obtained from 159 husbands (97.0%) and 303 wives (93.5%) were then subjected to analysis. The BSSC for husbands comprised of 10 questions and two factors, and a scale for wives comprised of 14 questions and three factors were ultimately created. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient ranged from 0.72 to 0.89 for all factors for both husbands and wives. The internal consistency and criterion-related validity of the scale were also confirmed. The model fitted the data satisfactory. Its reliability and validity were confirmed. The BSSC focused on mutual support among married couples, and may reveal new directions for breastfeeding support by shedding light on the differences in the perception of reciprocity support. The BSSC can evaluate couples and the appropriate support necessary for breastfeeding from the perspective of reciprocity support.

Related Concept Videos

Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
9
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood03:34

Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood

Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships. 
50.1K
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
9
Parental Care00:55

Parental Care

Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
13.0K
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
334
Couples Therapy01:26

Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals in intimate relationships address conflicts, improve communication, and foster healthier dynamics. It is appropriate for couples at various stages, including those who are dating, married, or in long-term partnerships, and aims to support partners in navigating their unique relational challenges.
Core Principles and Techniques
Couples therapy often incorporates cognitive-behavioral principles to identify and modify negative...
387