Association between perceived social support and breastfeeding self-efficacy among iranian mothers: a cross-sectional study

Breastfeeding self-efficacy (BSE) refers to a mother’s confidence in her ability to successfully breastfeed and is associated with breastfeeding-related behaviors and outcomes. Perceived social support (PSS) may be related to maternal BSE; however, evidence from Iran remains limited. This study examined the association between PSS and BSE among breastfeeding mothers. This cross-sectional study included 323 breastfeeding mothers recruited through multistage cluster sampling from health centers in Rasht, Iran, between June and October 2024. Data were collected using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (BSES-SF) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multivariable logistic regression were performed. For the logistic regression analysis, the total BSE score was dichotomized at the study-specific sample mean into below-mean and at-or-above-mean categories. Perceived Family Support, Perceived Friend Support, and Perceived Significant Others Support were entered as separate explanatory variables, together with prespecified sociodemographic and obstetric covariates. Total Perceived Social Support was moderately positively correlated with BSE ( r = 0.452, p < 0.001). Perceived Friend Support showed the strongest correlation with BSE ( r = 0.451, p < 0.001). In the adjusted logistic regression model, higher Perceived Friend Support was statistically associated with greater odds of having BSE at or above the study-specific mean (OR = 5.38, 95% CI: 3.18–9.87, p < 0.001). Perceived Significant Others Support was also associated with greater odds of BSE at or above the mean (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.13–2.51, p = 0.011). Younger maternal age and a greater number of children were also statistically associated with higher odds of BSE at or above the mean. Perceived social support, particularly Perceived Friend Support and Perceived Significant Others Support, was significantly associated with breastfeeding self-efficacy among breastfeeding mothers. These findings suggest that peer- and community-based social support may be relevant psychosocial domains to consider in breastfeeding promotion programs.