Journal of Research Development in Nursing and Midwifery

en Relationship between perceived social support, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and perception of insufficient milk in breastfeeding mothers of eastern Türkiye Midwifery Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Breastfeeding is a complex process influenced by various factors, including social support, perceived milk insufficiency, and breastfeeding self-efficacy. This study aimed to explore the relationships between perceived social support, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and the perception of insufficient milk among breastfeeding mothers in eastern Türkiye in 2022. Methods: This correlational study was conducted at a state hospital in eastern Türkiye with 500 breastfeeding mothers of infants aged 0-6 months attending the pediatric outpatient clinic. The participants completed the Sociodemographic Data Form, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, and the Perceived Insufficient Milk Questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between the scales, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean scores were 62.91 ± 16.16 for perceived social support, 52.49 ± 9.03 for breastfeeding self-efficacy, and 38.25 ± 10.04 for perceived insufficient milk. Significant positive correlations were found between perceived social support and breastfeeding self-efficacy (r = 0.188, p < 0.001), perceived social support and the perception of insufficient milk (r = 0.251, p < 0.001), and breastfeeding self-efficacy and the perception of insufficient milk (r = 0.251, p < 0.001). Conclusion: High levels of social support are associated with increased breastfeeding self-efficacy and improved perceptions of milk supply, thereby supporting both maternal and infant health. Healthcare professionals can enhance these outcomes by providing targeted training programs, motivational interviews, and social-cognitive support to breastfeeding mothers.</div>   Breast feeding, Postpartum period, Self-efficacy, Social support 7 9 http://nmj.goums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1735-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Saliha Yurtçiçek Eren s.yurtcicek@alparslan.edu.tr 100319475328460014154 100319475328460014154 No Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Muş Alparslan University, Muş, Türkiye Şükran Başgöl sukran.basgol@omu.edu.tr 100319475328460014155 100319475328460014155 Yes Department of Midwifery, Samsun Health Sciences Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Türkiye