Translation and Adaptation of the Existential Breastfeeding Difficulty Scale to Turkish

Abstract

Aim: Existential breastfeeding difficulty scale (ExBreastS) evaluates mothers who interrupt or terminate breastfeeding because of existential difficulties. Aim of the study was to adapt the scale for Turkish.Materials and Methods: This methodological study was carried out between December 2021 and February 2022 in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of a hospital in the west of Turkey. The study sample consisted of 139 mothers who fulfilling the study inclusion criteria. The data were obtained using a breastfeeding experience information form and the ExBreastS-Turkish form. Language adaptation and content validity, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to determine the validity of the scale, and internal consistency coefficient, item-total score correlation, split-half reliability, and test-retest analyzes were carried out to establish the reliability of the scale.Results: An exploratory factor analysis showed that the instrument had a 3-factor construction with appropriate factor loads of the items (0.58-0.85). In addition, results of CFA showed that model fit indices of the instrument met the target values. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.87, and the item-total score correlations ranged from 0.35 to 0.77. The test-retest correlation coefficient was 0.90 (p<0.001) and the Spearman-Brown reliability coefficient was 0.79. Conclusion: The Turkish version of the ExBreastS evaluated in Turkish women showed that it was a valid and reliable measurement instrument after necessary corrections.