Work

Validation and factorial invariance of the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form in Ecuadorian mothers

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Breastfeeding is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions to improve child survival and development. A key determinant of breastfeeding initiation and continuation is maternal self-efficacy, defined as a mother's confidence in her ability to breastfeed. The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) is one of the most widely used instruments internationally to assess this construct. However, no validation studies have been conducted in Ecuador, and evidence from Latin America remains limited, particularly regarding advanced psychometric analyses. Objective: To validate the Spanish version of the BSES-SF in Ecuadorian mothers with previous breastfeeding experience, examining its factorial structure, factorial invariance, reliability, and convergent validity. Methods: An instrumental psychometric study was conducted with 325 mothers recruited from public and private health centers in Loja, Ecuador, who had breastfeeding experience during the child's first two years of life. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to compare competing factorial models, and multi-group CFA tested factorial invariance across maternal age groups. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. Convergent validity was examined through correlations with psychological capital (PCQ-12) and positive mental health (PMH-9). Results: = 0.929) and significant positive correlations with psychological capital and positive mental health. Conclusion: The Spanish version of the BSES-SF is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing breastfeeding self-efficacy in Ecuadorian mothers. Clinically, it supports early identification of women at risk of low breastfeeding self-efficacy, facilitating timely and targeted breastfeeding support. From a public health and policy perspective, this psychometrically robust and culturally adapted instrument can inform breastfeeding promotion programs, equity-focused maternal health interventions, and monitoring of nutrition and health-related Sustainable Development Goals.

Source: Frontiers in Global Women s Health

DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2026.1707796

Authors: Ana Lizette Rojas-Rodríguez, Víctor López-Guerra, Cristian Trelles-Guarnizo, Paulo Rodríguez-Romero

Institution: Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

Language: English

Topic: Breastfeeding Practices and Influences

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,077