Psychometric Properties of the Paternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form Among Brazilian Fathers During the Immediate Postpartum Period
Description
This dataset was generated from a psychometric study evaluating the paternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (paternal BSES-SF) among Brazilian fathers during the immediate postpartum period. The study was conducted within a prospective cohort of mother–father dyads recruited in a hospital setting in Brazil. Fathers were assessed between 24 and 36 hours after childbirth, a period characterized by early transition to parenthood and limited direct experience with breastfeeding support. The primary research hypothesis was that the paternal BSES-SF would demonstrate adequate psychometric properties during the immediate postpartum period and that higher paternal breastfeeding self-efficacy would be associated with maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and improved breastfeeding outcomes. The study also explored whether paternal cohabitation status influenced the psychometric performance of the instrument. The dataset includes anonymized sociodemographic variables, paternal cohabitation status, paternal and maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy scores, item-level responses to the paternal BSES-SF, and prospective breastfeeding outcomes, including exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Data collection occurred between November 2024 and September 2025 through in-person baseline assessments and monthly follow-up via WhatsApp messaging. The data demonstrated that paternal self-efficacy scores presented limited variability and ceiling effects during the immediate postpartum period. Internal consistency was slightly below commonly recommended thresholds when estimated using Cronbach’s alpha, although omega coefficients suggested moderate reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure with partial model fit. Paternal self-efficacy was moderately associated with maternal self-efficacy but was not significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding outcomes. Additional exploratory analyses suggested differences in internal consistency according to paternal cohabitation status, with higher reliability observed among cohabiting fathers. These findings suggest that timing of assessment and contextual factors may substantially influence how paternal breastfeeding self-efficacy is expressed and measured during the early postpartum period. The dataset may be useful for researchers interested in breastfeeding self-efficacy, paternal involvement in breastfeeding, psychometric validation studies, postpartum family dynamics, and contextual influences on health behavior measures. The data may also support secondary analyses, methodological comparisons, and cross-cultural psychometric research.
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Steps to reproduce
Steps to Reproduce 1. Recruit mother–father dyads in the immediate postpartum period from a hospital rooming-in unit. 2. Apply the following eligibility criteria: * Full-term singleton newborns; * Primiparous mothers with no previous breastfeeding experience; * Absence of immediate maternal or neonatal complications; * Presence of the father during baseline assessment. 3. Exclude dyads with: * Clinical conditions preventing breastfeeding; * Multiple pregnancy; * Inability to communicate; * Absence of either parent during baseline assessment; * Absence of a male partner. 4. Conduct baseline assessments between 24 and 36 hours after childbirth using structured questionnaires and medical record data. 5. Administer: * The paternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (paternal BSES-SF); * The maternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (BSES-SF); * Sociodemographic and cohabitation questionnaires. 6. Record paternal cohabitation status according to whether the father lived with the mother and newborn at the time of assessment. 7. Follow participants prospectively through monthly contact using WhatsApp messaging to collect breastfeeding outcomes, including: * Exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month; * Duration of exclusive breastfeeding. 8. Perform psychometric analyses including: * Descriptive item analysis; * Cronbach’s alpha; * Omega reliability coefficient; * Corrected item–total correlations; * Confirmatory factor analysis using the WLSMV estimator; * Convergent validity analysis with maternal self-efficacy; * Predictive validity analysis with breastfeeding outcomes. 9. Conduct exploratory subgroup analyses according to paternal cohabitation status. 10. Perform statistical analyses using Stata version 19 and R version 4.5.3 with a significance level of 5%.