Research Information System
Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira, vol.71, no.2, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between body image, depression, and breastfeeding attitudes in women who had infants aged 0–24 months. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional and correlational in nature, conducted in Turkey between November 2023 and July 2024, with 282 women who had infants aged 0–24 months (n=282). RESULTS: Of the women who participated in the study, 46.1% received breastfeeding training during the postpartum period, and 46.2% received breastfeeding training between 7 and 12 months. It was determined that women stopped breastfeeding between months, with the main reason being the perception of insufficient milk (51.2%). The total mean score of the Women’s Breastfeeding Attitude Evaluation Scale was found to be 99.53±13.48, the Body Perception Scale was 132.19±28.84, and the Beck Depression Scale was 16.19±10.97. Additionally, if there was a high-level, positive linear relationship between the Breastfeeding Attitude Evaluation Scale and the Body Image Scale total scores (r=0.340, p<0.01), then there was a high-level, negative relationship between the Breastfeeding Attitude Evaluation Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory total score (r=-0.503, p<0.01), and a highly negative relationship was found between the Body Image Scale and the Beck Depression Scale (r=-0.526, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: It has been concluded that low body image and depression in women who had infants aged 0–24 months negatively affect breastfeeding attitudes. It is recommended to investigate the factors affecting breastfeeding attitudes in postpartum women and to provide support and training that can positively affect breastfeeding attitudes.