Self-efficacy on breastfeeding and anxiety levels in postpartum women
a comparative study between high-risk and low-risk pregnancies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-2724.2026v38i1e72547Keywords:
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Breastfeeding, Anxiety, High-risk pregnancyAbstract
Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to six months of age due to its benefits for the mother-infant dyad. However, factors such as mental health, especially depression and anxiety, may interfere with breastfeeding. Objective: To investigate the perception of breastfeeding self-efficacy and anxiety levels in postpartum women with high-risk and low-risk pregnancies. Methodology: This is a field-based, cross-sectional, and quantitative study conducted in a hospital in southern Brazil. Data collection took place at the bedside, in the rooming-in unit, with participants signing the Informed Consent Form. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale - Short Form (BSES-SF) were used. Data were tabulated in Excel and analyzed using Statistica 9.1 software. Results: The study included 29 postpartum women (63.09%) with high-risk pregnancies and 17 (36.96%) with low-risk pregnancies. It was found that 72.41% of the high-risk group presented some degree of anxiety, while the rate in the low-risk group was 52.91%. Regarding breastfeeding self-efficacy, 100% of the sample showed high perception. No statistical association was found between anxiety levels, self-efficacy, and pregnancy risk. Conclusion: Anxiety was present in more than half of the postpartum women in the sample, but no significant association was found between anxiety and pregnancy risk. Additionally, all participants demonstrated high breastfeeding self-efficacy, indicating that high-risk pregnancy did not affect their perceived ability to breastfeed.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Maria Victoria Carretts Dias, Giovanna Rodrigues Pereira, Gisiê Mello Balsamo, Bianca Nunes Pimentel, Carolina Lisbôa Mezzomo, Geovana de Paula Bolzan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
