Pediomaternal Nursing Journal
Vol. 12 No. 2 (2026): VOLUME 12 NO 2 JULY 2026

Psychosocial correlates of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Tuban Regency, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

Umu Qonitun (Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Nahdlatul Ulama Tuban Institute of Health Sciences, Tuban, Indonesia)
Nurus Safa'ah (Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Nahdlatul Ulama Tuban Institute of Health Sciences, Tuban, Indonesia)
Miftahul Munir (Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Nahdlatul Ulama Tuban Institute of Health Sciences, Tuban, Indonesia)
Ilmiatus Qoyimah (Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Nahdlatul Ulama Tuban Institute of Health Sciences, Tuban, Indonesia)
Erna Eka Wijayanti (Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Nahdlatul Ulama Tuban Institute of Health Sciences, Tuban, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
24 Jul 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding rates remain suboptimal in Indonesia despite well-documented benefits for infant and maternal health. Multiple psychosocial factors influence a mother's ability to sustain exclusive breastfeeding for six months. Objective: To examine associations between spousal support, healthcare provider support, coping mechanisms, and self-efficacy with exclusive breastfeeding practice among Indonesian mothers. Methods: Using purposive sampling, this cross-sectional study enrolled 150 mothers from Tuban Regency, East Java, with infants aged 0–6 months. Data were collected using validated questionnaires measuring spousal support, healthcare provider support, coping mechanisms, and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Exclusive breastfeeding was defined as providing only breast milk, without any supplemental food or liquid, for a minimum of four months postpartum. Spearman rank correlation (r) tests were used to examine associations between each independent variable and exclusive breastfeeding practice. Results: The majority of participants (72.0%) were aged 26–35 years, held senior high school qualifications (46.0%), and were full-time homemakers (82.0%). Strong-to-very-strong positive correlations were observed for all predictors: healthcare provider support (P-value<.001, r = .923), self-efficacy (P-value<.001, r = .901), spousal support (P-value<.001, r = .847), and coping mechanisms (P-value<.001, r = .634). Conclusion: Spousal support, healthcare provider support, adaptive coping mechanisms, and maternal self-efficacy are each significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice. Interventions targeting these modifiable psychosocial factors—through family education, professional support programs, and maternal empowerment initiatives—may meaningfully improve exclusive breastfeeding rates in similar low-resource settings. Keywords: breastfeeding; health personnel; psychological adaptation; self efficacy; social support

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Journal Info

Abbrev

PMNJ

Publisher

Subject

Nursing

Description

Pediomaternal Nursing Journal is a scientific media periodically published twice a year that contains scientific articles on health and nursing specifically related to the topic of child and maternity nursing. This journal as a medium for writers from students, lecturers, and researchers to be able ...