Research Article

The Effect of Primiparous Pregnant Women’s Prenatal Attachment Levels on Their Breastfeeding Expectations and Self-Efficacy

Volume: 9 Number: 2 July 1, 2026
TR EN

The Effect of Primiparous Pregnant Women’s Prenatal Attachment Levels on Their Breastfeeding Expectations and Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the effect of primiparous pregnant women's prenatal attachment levels on their breastfeeding expectations and self-efficacy.

Methods: This study is descriptive and correlational in design. The research was conducted between April and December 2024 with 370 primiparous pregnant women who applied to the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic of Tarsus State Hospital. Data were collected through the "Personal Information Form," the "Breastfeeding Expectations Scale-A (BES-A): A Questionnaire for Pregnant Women," the "Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (PBSES)," and the "Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI)."

Results: The average age of all pregnant women was 24.84±4.25 years. The mean total score of the BES-A was 18.57±5.37, the mean total score of the PBSES was 82.96±7.58, and the mean total score of the PAI was 64.40±7.59. A moderately significant negative correlation was found between the total score of the BES-A and the total score of the PBSES. A weak but significant negative correlation was found between the total score of the BES-A and the PAI. However, no significant relationship was observed between the total scores of the PBSES and the PAI.

Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was found that as pregnant women's breastfeeding self-efficacy and attachment levels increase, their breastfeeding expectations improve positively.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Before starting the study, permission was obtained from the Tarsus University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (dated 26.02.2024 and numbered 2024/21) and institutional permission was obtained from the Mersin Provincial Directorate of Health (dated 28.03.2024 and decision number 31) to conduct the research in Tarsus State Hospital. Author permissions were obtained from the scales used in the study. Written informed consent were obtained from participants. The study followed the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

References

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  2. Alyousefi, N., Alemam, A., Altwaijri, D., Alarifi, S., & Alessa, H. (2022). Predictors of prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy in expectant mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7), 4115. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074115
  3. Avcı, H. (2023). The effect of breastfeeding self-efficacy in pregnant women on attitudes toward infant feeding [Master’s thesis, Denizli Nursing Department, Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Program].
  4. Başar, F. (2023). Investigation of the relationship between pregnant women's prenatal care satisfaction, prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy, and readiness for newborn care [Master’s thesis, Kütahya Health Sciences University].
  5. Başgöl, Ş., & Küçükkaya, B. (2022). The effect of perceived social support on prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy in pregnants in Turkey: A web-based cross-sectional study. Kadın Sağlığı Hemşireliği Dergisi, 8(3), 133–143. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/kashed/issue/73625/1192086
  6. Beheshti, M. A. Z., Alimoradi, Z., Bahrami, N., Allen, K. A., & Lissack, K. (2022). Predictors of breastfeeding self-efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 28(5), 349–355.
  7. Busonera, A., Cataudella, S., Lampis, J., Tommasi, M., & Zavattini, G. C. (2017). Prenatal attachment inventory: Expanding the reliability and validity evidence using a sample of Italian women. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 35(5), 462–479. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2017.1349896
  8. Corby, K., Kane, D., & Dayus, D. (2021). Investigating predictors of prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 53(1), 56–63.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Midwifery

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 1, 2026

Submission Date

June 15, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 19, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2

APA
Serin, A., & Sönmez, T. (2026). The Effect of Primiparous Pregnant Women’s Prenatal Attachment Levels on Their Breastfeeding Expectations and Self-Efficacy. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences, 9(2), 94-101. https://doi.org/10.62425/esbder.1720008
AMA
1.Serin A, Sönmez T. The Effect of Primiparous Pregnant Women’s Prenatal Attachment Levels on Their Breastfeeding Expectations and Self-Efficacy. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences. 2026;9(2):94-101. doi:10.62425/esbder.1720008
Chicago
Serin, Aybeniz, and Tugce Sönmez. 2026. “The Effect of Primiparous Pregnant Women’s Prenatal Attachment Levels on Their Breastfeeding Expectations and Self-Efficacy”. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences 9 (2): 94-101. https://doi.org/10.62425/esbder.1720008.
EndNote
Serin A, Sönmez T (July 1, 2026) The Effect of Primiparous Pregnant Women’s Prenatal Attachment Levels on Their Breastfeeding Expectations and Self-Efficacy. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences 9 2 94–101.
IEEE
[1]A. Serin and T. Sönmez, “The Effect of Primiparous Pregnant Women’s Prenatal Attachment Levels on Their Breastfeeding Expectations and Self-Efficacy”, Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 94–101, July 2026, doi: 10.62425/esbder.1720008.
ISNAD
Serin, Aybeniz - Sönmez, Tugce. “The Effect of Primiparous Pregnant Women’s Prenatal Attachment Levels on Their Breastfeeding Expectations and Self-Efficacy”. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences 9/2 (July 1, 2026): 94-101. https://doi.org/10.62425/esbder.1720008.
JAMA
1.Serin A, Sönmez T. The Effect of Primiparous Pregnant Women’s Prenatal Attachment Levels on Their Breastfeeding Expectations and Self-Efficacy. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences. 2026;9:94–101.
MLA
Serin, Aybeniz, and Tugce Sönmez. “The Effect of Primiparous Pregnant Women’s Prenatal Attachment Levels on Their Breastfeeding Expectations and Self-Efficacy”. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences, vol. 9, no. 2, July 2026, pp. 94-101, doi:10.62425/esbder.1720008.
Vancouver
1.Aybeniz Serin, Tugce Sönmez. The Effect of Primiparous Pregnant Women’s Prenatal Attachment Levels on Their Breastfeeding Expectations and Self-Efficacy. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences. 2026 Jul. 1;9(2):94-101. doi:10.62425/esbder.1720008

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