Maternal anxiety and depression and its impact on breastfeeding self-efficacy: a study of association

Introduction: breastfeeding self-efficacy is a crucial factor influencing success and duration. Studies have shown that maternal anxiety and depression can negatively affect breastfeeding self-efficacy, which may hinder continuation of breastfeeding. Understanding this relationship is essential in designing interventions to improve maternal well-being and breastfeeding practices. Objective: this study aimed to explore the relationship between maternal anxiety and depression and breastfeeding self-efficacy, and to describe the sociodemographic and mental health characteristics of the participants. Methodology: this was an observational descriptive study with a cross-sectional design was conducted on 108 breastfeeding women in Paraguay. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling method was used. Participants completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). Data were analyzed using SPSS, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the associations between anxiety, depression, and self-efficacy. Results: a total of 30.6 % of the participants reported anxiety, and 48.1% showed signs of postpartum depression. Women with anxiety and depression had significantly lower breastfeeding self-efficacy scores (p=0.044 and p=0.048, respectively). Conclusion: these results suggest that maternal anxiety and depression negatively affect breastfeeding self-efficacy. Addressing mental health issues in breastfeeding mothers is essential to improving self-efficacy and, consequently, breastfeeding outcomes.