Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Responsiveness to Change of the Persian Version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Short Form Scale

Abstract

IntroductionThe Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) is a 14-item measure designed to assess a mother's confidence in successful breastfeeding of her baby. This study aimed to determine the confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and responsiveness to change of the Persian version of the BSES-SF.MethodsThis study was performed in two phases: In the first phase, 400 women were recruited, and then in another phase, 110 pregnant women at 35–37 weeks gestation were randomly selected and assigned into two equal groups (n = 55). Educational intervention was implemented, and data were gathered in the third trimester and at 2 weeks postpartum.ResultsThe BSES-SF presented a one-dimensional structure with factor loadings of > 0.40 for CFA and Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.92. BSES-SF scores in the intervention group (56.76 ± 4.65) were significantly higher than the control group (48.94 ± 4.85).ConclusionBSES-SF can be a valid, responsive, and reliable measure of self-efficacy in response to breastfeeding challenges.