Development and psychometric testing of the ‘Mindful Breastfeeding Scale’ (MINDF-BFS) among postpartum women in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of the study is to develop and psychometrically test the Mindfulness Breastfeeding Scale among postnatal women. Cross-sectional data were collected during 2017–2018 in Antalya Education and Research Hospital. The total sample comprised 500 post-partum women who met the inclusion criteria: (1) Women older than 18 years, who were literate in Turkish, (2) women without a disease or drug treatment that would prevent breastfeeding, and (3) mothers with a healthy baby. Missing was low in frequency (5.4%). A unidimensional solution has been observed as a result of exploratory and confirmative factor analyses. Low reliability and validity were obtained in seven of the original 16 items; excluding these items, the one-dimensional 9-items measurement model revealed good model fit, indicating good internal consistency and validity. Significant factor loadings, goodness-of-fit indices and a significant correlation in the expected direction with breastfeeding self-efficacy supported reliability and validity of the Mindfulness Breastfeeding Scale. Exploring the essence of mindfulness in breastfeeding and its health-promoting potential is highly warranted. Such knowledge and a well-adapted scale are beneficial and important for the further development of health-promoting postnatal care.