The Relationship Between Psychological Resilience and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Levels of New Mothers

Background The early postpartum period is often marked by psychological and physiological challenges that can affect breastfeeding outcomes. Maternal psychological resilience and breastfeeding self-efficacy are key factors influencing breastfeeding success. Objective This study aimed to examine the association between psychological resilience and breastfeeding self-efficacy in new mothers. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2021 and July 2022 at a maternity unit in Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 311 new mothers aged 18–49 participated in the study. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults (PRS), and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). Results The mean PRS total score was 104.26 ± 10.4, and the mean BSES-SF score was 54.87 ± 8.9. Planned pregnancy, early initiation of breastfeeding, and positive breastfeeding attitudes in the social environment were significantly associated with higher scores on both scales (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was identified between the 'social competence' subscale of the PRS and BSES-SF scores (p < 0.001). Conclusion Enhancing psychological resilience through targeted support programs may improve breastfeeding self-efficacy among new mothers. Healthcare professionals should consider culturally sensitive approaches to identify and support vulnerable groups.