Determining the effect of mothers' perceived social support on breastfeeding attitudes

The study was conducted as a descriptive and correlational study in order to determine the effect of mothers' perceived social support on breastfeeding attitudes. The sample of the study consisted of 287 mothers with babies aged 0-24 months who applied to family health centers in Ortahisar district of Trabzon province. The study was conducted between January and June 2024. Data in the study were collected using the "Introductory Information Form", "Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale" and "Breastfeeding Attitude Assessment Scale". Descriptive qualities were evaluated with frequency and percentage distributions, and the scores of the scales were summarized with mean and standard deviation. t-test, one-way analysis of variance and post hoc analyzes were applied to determine the differences between descriptive qualities and scale levels. The relationship between social support and breastfeeding attitude was examined by Pearson correlation analysis. It was determined that 44.6% of the mothers participating in the study were 30 years old and under, 62.4% had high school and above education, 88.5% had a nuclear family structure and 93.5% lived in the city center. It was determined that 47.4% of the mothers were employed. In addition, it was determined that 50.5% of the mothers had one child, 57.1% had children between 0-6 months and the average age of the children was 7.49±6.64 months. The total mean score of the mothers' multidimensional perceived social support scale was 66.53±14.67 and the mean score of the breastfeeding attitude assessment scale was 89.57±14.28. It was observed that there was a significant difference between the mothers' social support levels and the mother's and father's age group, education level, family type, place of residence, employment status, perceived income status, number of children, child's age group, the mother's perceived social support during breastfeeding and from whom she received the most support during breastfeeding. No relationship was found between mothers' social support levels and breastfeeding attitudes. Although mothers' perception of social support did not have a direct effect on breastfeeding attitudes in this study, it was observed that social support sources affected mothers' psychosocial status and approaches to the breastfeeding process. Factors such as education level, family type and perceived income level are important factors that shape social support perception and breastfeeding attitudes