Validation of a short questionnaire to assess mothers' perception of workplace breastfeeding support.

The purpose of this study was to create and establish the validity of a short questionnaire to measure mothers' perceived support for breastfeeding from the workplace. The items in the workplace breastfeeding support scale (WBSS) were derived from a literature review. The scale was self-administered in central Indiana during the fall of 2005 to a convenience sample of 66 volunteers who were primiparous, 6 to 12 months postpartum, worked outside home, and had initiated breastfeeding prior to the survey. Internal consistency (alpha) and split-half reliability (r) tests and a factor analysis were done to establish reliability and construct validity of the scale. The WBSS showed acceptable reliability (alpha=.77, r=0.86). Content validity was established by review using a panel of experts. Four distinct constructs of the scale were identified that accounted for 62.1% of the total variability of the scale: technical, environmental, facility, and peer support, thus establishing construct validity of the scale. Lactation consultants and worksite lactation program planners can use the WBSS to help mothers returning to work and to assess the needs for improvement of support programs.