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COVID-19 Pandemisinde Annelerin Maternal Bağlanma, Emzirme Öz Yeterlilik ve Yetersiz Süt Algısının Belirlenmesi

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 2, 488 - 495, 30.08.2025

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, COVID-19 salgınının kısıtlamaları karşısında yenidoğan yoğun bakım ünitesine (YYBÜ) yerleştirilen bebeklerin annelerinin anneye bağlanma, emzirme öz yeterliliği ve algılanan yetersiz süt tedarikini belirlemeyi amaçladı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışma tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel tiptedir. Çalışma Türkiye'nin doğusundaki bir devlet hastanesinin YYBÜ'sünde gerçekleştirildi. Örneklem YYBÜ'de tedavi gören, zamanında doğmuş bebeği olan 292 anneden oluşuyordu. Veriler sosyodemografik özellikler anketi, Maternal Bağlanma Ölçeği, Emzirme Öz Yeterlilik Ölçeği ve Yetersiz Süt Algısı anketi kullanılarak toplandı. Bulgular: Katılımcıların ortalama maternal bağlanma, emzirme öz yeterliliği ve yetersiz süt algısı skorları sırasıyla 61.80±14.60, 43.88±11.52 ve 24.53±13.61 idi. Emzirme öz yeterliliği maternal bağlanmayı artıran anlamlı bir açıklayıcı değişken iken, yetersiz süt algısını düşüren anlamlı bir açıklayıcı değişkendi (p<0,05). Bebeği yoğun bakımdayken COVID-19 testi pozitif çıkan katılımcıların maternal bağlanmalarının daha düşük olduğu bulundu. Pandemi sürecinde bebeklerinden ayrılan ve yeterince emziremediklerini düşünen katılımcıların yetersiz süt algısı puan ortalaması daha düşüktü (p<0,05). Sonuç: Pandemi kısıtlamalarının anneye bağlanma üzerinde olumsuz etkisi vardır. Emzirme öz-yeterliği ve yetersiz süt algısı maternal bağlanmayı açıklayan etkili değişkenlerdir.

References

  • Aluş Tokat, M., Okumuş, H., & Dennis, C. L. (2010). Translation and psychometric assessment of the Breast-feeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form among pregnant and postnatal women in Turkey. Midwifery, 26(1), 101–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2008.04.002
  • Altay, G., & Arıkan, D. (2021). Safe maternal attachment and breastfeeding in newborns during the COVID-19 pandemic process. Gümüşhane University Journal of Health Sciences, 10(4), 993-999. https://doi.org/10.37989/gumussagbil.870322
  • Cetisli, N. E., Arkan, G., & Top, E. D. (2018). Maternal attachment and breastfeeding behaviors according to type of delivery in the immediate postpartum period. Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira, 64(2), 164–169. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.64.02.164
  • Cigdem, Z., Guler, S., & Yavas Celik, M. (2024). Restriction of visits to neonatal intensive care units in the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 30(8), 1645–1652. https://doi.org/10.1111/jep.14092
  • Çelik, M. Y., & Çopur, E. Ö. (2023). The relationship between maternal attachment and fear of COVID-19 in mothers who gave birth during the pandemic period. Journal of Hacettepe University Faculty of Nursing, 10(2), 102-112. https://doi.org/10.31125/hunhemsire.1333824
  • Dekel, S., Thiel, F., Dishy, G., & Ashenfarb, A. L. (2019). Is childbirth-induced PTSD associated with low maternal attachment?. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 22(1), 119–122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0853-y
  • Dennis C. L. (2003). The breastfeeding self-efficacy scale: psychometric assessment of the short form. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 32(6), 734–744. https://doi.org/10.1177/0884217503258459
  • Dong, Y., Mo, X., Hu, Y., Qi, X., Jiang, F., Jiang, Z., & Tong, S. (2020). Epidemiology of COVID-19 among children in China. Pediatrics, 145(6), e20200702. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-0702
  • De Roza, J. G., Fong, M. K., Ang, B. L., Sadon, R. B., Koh, E., & Teo, S. (2019). Exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding self-efficacy and perception of milk supply among mothers in Singapore: A longitudinal study. Midwifery, 79, 102532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2019.102532
  • Gibbs, B. G., Forste, R., & Lybbert, E. (2018). Breastfeeding, parenting, and infant attachment behaviors. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 22(4), 579–588. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-018-2427-z
  • Gokceoglu, E., & Kucukoglu, S. (2017). The relationship between insufficient milk perception and breastfeeding self-efficacy among Turkish mothers. Global Health Promotion, 24(4), 53–61. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757975916635080
  • Gumussoy, S., Celik, N. A., Guner, Ö., Kıratlı, D., Atan, S. U., & Kavlak, O. (2020). Investigation of the relationship between maternal attachment and breastfeeding self-efficacy and affecting factors in Turkish sample. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 54, e53–e60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2020.04.022
  • Gunes, A. O., Dincer, E., Karadag, N., Topcuoglu, S., & Karatekin, G. (2021). Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on breastfeeding rates in a neonatal intensive care unit. Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 49(4), 500–505. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpm-2020-0462
  • Kavlak, O., & Sirin, A. (2009). The Turkish version of maternal attachment inventory. International Journal of Human Sciences, 6(1), 188-202.
  • Kent, J. C., Ashton, E., Hardwick, C. M., Rea, A., Murray, K., & Geddes, D. T. (2021). Causes of perception of insufficient milk supply in Western Australian mothers. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 17(1), e13080. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13080
  • Liu, X., Chen, H., An, M., Yang, W., Wen, Y., Cai, Z., Wang, L., & Zhou, Q. (2022). Recommendations for breastfeeding during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. International Breastfeeding Journal, 17(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-022-00465-w
  • Lubbe, W., Botha, E., Niela-Vilen, H., & Reimers, P. (2020). Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic - a literature review for clinical practice. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15(1), 82. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00319-3
  • Manuela, F., Barcos-Munoz, F., Monaci, M. G., Lordier, L., Camejo, M. P., De Almeida, J. S., Grandjean, D., Hüppi, P. S., & Borradori-Tolsa, C. (2021). Maternal stress, depression, and attachment in the neonatal intensive care unit before and during the COVID pandemic: An exploratory study. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 734640. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.734640
  • McCarter-Spaulding, D. E., & Kearney, M. H. (2001). Parenting self-efficacy and perception of insufficient breast milk. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 30(5), 515–522. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2001.tb01571.x
  • Muller M. E. (1994). A questionnaire to measure mother-to-infant attachment. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 2(2), 129–141.
  • Oskovi-Kaplan, Z. A., Buyuk, G. N., Ozgu-Erdinc, A. S., Keskin, H. L., Ozbas, A., & Moraloglu Tekin, O. (2021). The effect of COVID-19 pandemic and social restrictions on depression rates and maternal attachment in immediate postpartum women: A preliminary study. The Psychiatric Quarterly, 92(2), 675–682. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-020-09843-1
  • Peñacoba, C., & Catala, P. (2019). Associations between breastfeeding and mother-infant relationships: A systematic review. Breastfeeding Medicine, 14(9), 616–629. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2019.0106
  • Reger, M. A., Stanley, I. H., & Joiner, T. E. (2020). Suicide mortality and coronavirus disease 2019-A perfect storm?. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(11), 1093–1094. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.1060
  • Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health. (2021). General information, epidemiology and diagnosis. Retrieved from: https://covid19.saglik.gov.tr/TR-66337/genel-bilgiler-epidemiyoloji-ve-tani.html Accessed July 27, 2021.
  • Rodrigo, R., Rodrigo, A., Liyanage, N., Hatahagoda, W., & Hewavitharana, U. (2019). Maternal perception of adequacy of mother's milk among mothers giving birth at a teaching hospital in Sri Lanka. Journal of Human Lactation, 35(1), 171–180. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334418773304
  • Sandhi, A., Lee, G. T., Chipojola, R., Huda, M. H., & Kuo, S. Y. (2020). The relationship between perceived milk supply and exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months postpartum: a cross-sectional study. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00310-y
  • Tomori, C., Gribble, K., Palmquist, A., Ververs, M. T., & Gross, M. S. (2020). When separation is not the answer: Breastfeeding mothers and infants affected by COVID-19. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 16(4), e13033. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13033
  • Wang, L., Shi, Y., Xiao, T., Fu, J., Feng, X., Mu, D., Feng, Q., Hei, M., Hu, X., Li, Z., Lu, G., Tang, Z., Wang, Y., Wang, C., Xia, S., Xu, J., Yang, Y., Yang, J., Zeng, M., Zheng, J., … Working Committee on Perinatal and Neonatal Management for the Prevention and Control of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Infection. (2020). Chinese expert consensus on the perinatal and neonatal management for the prevention and control of the 2019 novel coronavirus infection (First edition). Annals of Translational Medicine, 8(3), 47. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm.2020.02.20
  • Wang, L. Y., Wu, T. J., Lu, T. L., & Lin, K. H. (2021). Enhancing maternal-infant attachment in a neonatal intensive care unit during the pandemic prevention period. Hu li za zhi The Journal of Nursing, 68(6), 73–82. https://doi.org/10.6224/JN.202112_68(6).10
  • World Health Organization. (2020). WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 11 March 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020 Accessed July 27, 2021.

Determination of Maternal Attachment, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, and Insufficient Milk Perception of Mothers in COVID-19 Pandemic

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 2, 488 - 495, 30.08.2025

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the maternal attachment, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and perceived insufficient milk supply of mothers of babies placed in a neonatal intensive care unit in the face of restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at the neonatal intensive care unit of a public hospital in eastern Turkey. The sample consisted of 292 mothers of term babies treated in the neonatal intensive care unit. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, the Maternal Attachment Inventory, the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Perception of Insufficient Milk Questionnaire. Results: Participants had a mean maternal attachment, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and the perception of insufficient milk score of 61.80±14.60, 43.88±11.52, and 24.53±13.61, respectively. While the breastfeeding self-efficacy score was a significant explanatory variable that increased the maternal attachment score, the perception of insufficient milk score was a significant explanatory variable that decreased it (p<0.05). Participants with a positive COVID-19 test while their baby is in intensive care have a lower maternal attachment score. Participants who were separated from their babies during the pandemic and thought that they could not breastfeed sufficiently had a lower mean perception of insufficient milk score (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pandemic restrictions have a negative effect on maternal attachment. Breastfeeding self-efficacy and perception of insufficient milk are effective variables that explain maternal attachment.

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by a Regional Ethical Review Board in Turkey (No: B.30.2.ATA.0.01.00/115, Date: 25.03.2021). Permission was obtained from the hospital. All mothers were informed about the research purpose and procedure. Informed consent was obtained from those who agreed to participate in the study.

Supporting Institution

-

Thanks

The authors would like to extend their sincere thanks to anyone who contributed to this study.

References

  • Aluş Tokat, M., Okumuş, H., & Dennis, C. L. (2010). Translation and psychometric assessment of the Breast-feeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form among pregnant and postnatal women in Turkey. Midwifery, 26(1), 101–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2008.04.002
  • Altay, G., & Arıkan, D. (2021). Safe maternal attachment and breastfeeding in newborns during the COVID-19 pandemic process. Gümüşhane University Journal of Health Sciences, 10(4), 993-999. https://doi.org/10.37989/gumussagbil.870322
  • Cetisli, N. E., Arkan, G., & Top, E. D. (2018). Maternal attachment and breastfeeding behaviors according to type of delivery in the immediate postpartum period. Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira, 64(2), 164–169. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.64.02.164
  • Cigdem, Z., Guler, S., & Yavas Celik, M. (2024). Restriction of visits to neonatal intensive care units in the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 30(8), 1645–1652. https://doi.org/10.1111/jep.14092
  • Çelik, M. Y., & Çopur, E. Ö. (2023). The relationship between maternal attachment and fear of COVID-19 in mothers who gave birth during the pandemic period. Journal of Hacettepe University Faculty of Nursing, 10(2), 102-112. https://doi.org/10.31125/hunhemsire.1333824
  • Dekel, S., Thiel, F., Dishy, G., & Ashenfarb, A. L. (2019). Is childbirth-induced PTSD associated with low maternal attachment?. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 22(1), 119–122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0853-y
  • Dennis C. L. (2003). The breastfeeding self-efficacy scale: psychometric assessment of the short form. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 32(6), 734–744. https://doi.org/10.1177/0884217503258459
  • Dong, Y., Mo, X., Hu, Y., Qi, X., Jiang, F., Jiang, Z., & Tong, S. (2020). Epidemiology of COVID-19 among children in China. Pediatrics, 145(6), e20200702. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-0702
  • De Roza, J. G., Fong, M. K., Ang, B. L., Sadon, R. B., Koh, E., & Teo, S. (2019). Exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding self-efficacy and perception of milk supply among mothers in Singapore: A longitudinal study. Midwifery, 79, 102532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2019.102532
  • Gibbs, B. G., Forste, R., & Lybbert, E. (2018). Breastfeeding, parenting, and infant attachment behaviors. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 22(4), 579–588. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-018-2427-z
  • Gokceoglu, E., & Kucukoglu, S. (2017). The relationship between insufficient milk perception and breastfeeding self-efficacy among Turkish mothers. Global Health Promotion, 24(4), 53–61. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757975916635080
  • Gumussoy, S., Celik, N. A., Guner, Ö., Kıratlı, D., Atan, S. U., & Kavlak, O. (2020). Investigation of the relationship between maternal attachment and breastfeeding self-efficacy and affecting factors in Turkish sample. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 54, e53–e60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2020.04.022
  • Gunes, A. O., Dincer, E., Karadag, N., Topcuoglu, S., & Karatekin, G. (2021). Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on breastfeeding rates in a neonatal intensive care unit. Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 49(4), 500–505. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpm-2020-0462
  • Kavlak, O., & Sirin, A. (2009). The Turkish version of maternal attachment inventory. International Journal of Human Sciences, 6(1), 188-202.
  • Kent, J. C., Ashton, E., Hardwick, C. M., Rea, A., Murray, K., & Geddes, D. T. (2021). Causes of perception of insufficient milk supply in Western Australian mothers. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 17(1), e13080. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13080
  • Liu, X., Chen, H., An, M., Yang, W., Wen, Y., Cai, Z., Wang, L., & Zhou, Q. (2022). Recommendations for breastfeeding during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. International Breastfeeding Journal, 17(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-022-00465-w
  • Lubbe, W., Botha, E., Niela-Vilen, H., & Reimers, P. (2020). Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic - a literature review for clinical practice. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15(1), 82. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00319-3
  • Manuela, F., Barcos-Munoz, F., Monaci, M. G., Lordier, L., Camejo, M. P., De Almeida, J. S., Grandjean, D., Hüppi, P. S., & Borradori-Tolsa, C. (2021). Maternal stress, depression, and attachment in the neonatal intensive care unit before and during the COVID pandemic: An exploratory study. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 734640. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.734640
  • McCarter-Spaulding, D. E., & Kearney, M. H. (2001). Parenting self-efficacy and perception of insufficient breast milk. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 30(5), 515–522. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2001.tb01571.x
  • Muller M. E. (1994). A questionnaire to measure mother-to-infant attachment. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 2(2), 129–141.
  • Oskovi-Kaplan, Z. A., Buyuk, G. N., Ozgu-Erdinc, A. S., Keskin, H. L., Ozbas, A., & Moraloglu Tekin, O. (2021). The effect of COVID-19 pandemic and social restrictions on depression rates and maternal attachment in immediate postpartum women: A preliminary study. The Psychiatric Quarterly, 92(2), 675–682. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-020-09843-1
  • Peñacoba, C., & Catala, P. (2019). Associations between breastfeeding and mother-infant relationships: A systematic review. Breastfeeding Medicine, 14(9), 616–629. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2019.0106
  • Reger, M. A., Stanley, I. H., & Joiner, T. E. (2020). Suicide mortality and coronavirus disease 2019-A perfect storm?. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(11), 1093–1094. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.1060
  • Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health. (2021). General information, epidemiology and diagnosis. Retrieved from: https://covid19.saglik.gov.tr/TR-66337/genel-bilgiler-epidemiyoloji-ve-tani.html Accessed July 27, 2021.
  • Rodrigo, R., Rodrigo, A., Liyanage, N., Hatahagoda, W., & Hewavitharana, U. (2019). Maternal perception of adequacy of mother's milk among mothers giving birth at a teaching hospital in Sri Lanka. Journal of Human Lactation, 35(1), 171–180. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334418773304
  • Sandhi, A., Lee, G. T., Chipojola, R., Huda, M. H., & Kuo, S. Y. (2020). The relationship between perceived milk supply and exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months postpartum: a cross-sectional study. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00310-y
  • Tomori, C., Gribble, K., Palmquist, A., Ververs, M. T., & Gross, M. S. (2020). When separation is not the answer: Breastfeeding mothers and infants affected by COVID-19. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 16(4), e13033. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13033
  • Wang, L., Shi, Y., Xiao, T., Fu, J., Feng, X., Mu, D., Feng, Q., Hei, M., Hu, X., Li, Z., Lu, G., Tang, Z., Wang, Y., Wang, C., Xia, S., Xu, J., Yang, Y., Yang, J., Zeng, M., Zheng, J., … Working Committee on Perinatal and Neonatal Management for the Prevention and Control of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Infection. (2020). Chinese expert consensus on the perinatal and neonatal management for the prevention and control of the 2019 novel coronavirus infection (First edition). Annals of Translational Medicine, 8(3), 47. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm.2020.02.20
  • Wang, L. Y., Wu, T. J., Lu, T. L., & Lin, K. H. (2021). Enhancing maternal-infant attachment in a neonatal intensive care unit during the pandemic prevention period. Hu li za zhi The Journal of Nursing, 68(6), 73–82. https://doi.org/10.6224/JN.202112_68(6).10
  • World Health Organization. (2020). WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 11 March 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020 Accessed July 27, 2021.
There are 30 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Pediatric Health and Illnesses Nursing
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Sibel Küçükoğlu 0000-0003-3269-445X

Gamzegül Altay 0000-0002-4895-5338

Hasibe Canan Yılmaz 0000-0003-3487-3152

Duygu Arıkan 0000-0001-9451-8799

Publication Date August 30, 2025
Submission Date June 26, 2024
Acceptance Date July 3, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 14 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Küçükoğlu, S., Altay, G., Yılmaz, H. C., Arıkan, D. (2025). Determination of Maternal Attachment, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, and Insufficient Milk Perception of Mothers in COVID-19 Pandemic. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 14(2), 488-495. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1505290

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