The Effect of Breastfeeding Counseling Given With Motivational Interviewing Technique on Breastfeeding Problems and Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Breastfeeding difficulties and maternal anxiety are common, and negatively affect outcomes for both mother and infant. Aims: We aimed to examine how breastfeeding counseling performed by using motivational interviewing techniques will affect breastfeeding problems and maternal anxiety among mothers with infants aged 1–3 months. Method: This randomized controlled trial included 60 mothers with breastfeeding difficulties, randomly assigned to intervention ( n = 30) and control ( n = 30) groups. The intervention group received four motivational interviewing-based counseling sessions in addition to routine care, while the control group received routine care only. Data were collected pre- and post-intervention using the Personal Information Form, Breastfeeding Questions Assessment Scale (BQAS), and State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I). Results: Exclusive breastfeeding increased significantly in the intervention group and decreased in the control group (χ 2 = 15.458, p < 0.001, Cramér’s V = 0.508). A significant group-by-time interaction was observed for BQAS scores, F (1,58) = 7.512, p = 0.008, η 2 p = 0.115, indicating greater improvement in the intervention group, although both groups showed significant reductions (control: p < 0.001, d = 0.971; intervention: p < 0.001, d = 1.900). Posttest STAI-I scores favored the intervention group, t(58) = 3.494, p = 0.001, d = 0.902, while the interaction was not significant, F (1,58) = 0.616, p = 0.436; both groups showed reduced anxiety. The proportion of non-anxious mothers was higher in the intervention group (χ 2 = 4.356, p = 0.036). Conclusion: Motivational interviewing-based breastfeeding counseling reduced breastfeeding difficulties and maternal anxiety; further randomized trials are needed.