Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the paternal breastfeeding self-efficacy scale - Short form for fathers

Background: Women supported by their partners are more likely to initiate and maintain breastfeeding and overcome related challenges. Therefore, reliable measurement tools are needed to determine whether fathers can provide this support. Aim: This study aimed to (1) examine the psychometric properties of the Paternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) in Turkish fathers, including internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, construct validity using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA); and (2) assess the relationship between the BSES-SF and paternal demographic factors. Methods: A methodologically study was conducted between December 26-2018 and June 26-2019 at the pediatrics clinics of two research hospitals of medical schools in Konya, Turkey. The sample consisted of 221 fathers of infants aged 2 to 6 weeks who visited the clinics for routine examinations. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Turkish version of the Paternal BSES-SF. After evaluating the language equivalence and content validity of the scale, test-retest reliability, internal consistency and construct validity were examined. In evaluation of the data frequency/percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent groups t test, ANOVA Analysis, Bartlett's Test of Sphericity, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Pearson Product-Moment correlation and Cronbach α analysis were used. The study was approved by Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Selcuk University in Turkey. Results: The translated Paternal BSES-SF had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.93 and a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.96. The factor loadings ranged from 0.42 to 0.76. The Paternal BSES-SF had a one-factor structure similar to the original scale. Fathers who were unemployed, had lower economic status, and unplanned pregnancy had significantly lower mean Paternal BSES-SF scores. Paternal education regarding breastfeeding increased mean Paternal BSES-SF retest scores (p<0.05). Conclusions: The Paternal BSES-SF was a valid and reliable measure to assess fathers’ confidence in their ability to assist mothers with breastfeeding in Turkey. Turkish researchers and health workers can use this instrument as a reference for promoting exclusive breastfeeding.