Psychometric Properties of the Breastfeeding and Employment Scale

Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Breastfeeding and Employment Scale (BES). Design: Secondary analysis of data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II survey, a longitudinal study on infant feeding practices. Setting: United States. Participants: Women who were employed, breastfeeding, and completed the Infant Feeding Practices Study II BES at the 3-month postpartum assessment (N = 508). Methods: Participants reported their perceived level of breastfeeding support in the workplace by responding to the nine binary items on the BES. We evaluated the instrument's internal consistency reliability (Kuder–Richardson 20), test–retest reliability (Cohen's kappa), construct validity (principal component analysis), and convergent validity (relationship with a similar item). Results: The internal consistency of the BES (Kuder–Richardson 20 = 0.72) supported the reliability of scale. The test–retest reliability was moderate (0.41–0.60). The Spearman's rho correlation coefficient was 0.66, indicating adequate test–rest reliability for the total BES score between the 3-month and 6-month assessments (p < .01). The factor analysis demonstrated that the items cluster into one factor (psychosocial and structural barriers to breastfeeding in the workplace). Participants who reported more barriers to breastfeeding in the workplace also reported a less supportive workplace environment, which supported the convergent validity of the scale. Conclusion: The psychometric testing of the BES provided initial support for the reliability and validity of the instrument. It may be a useful tool for measuring workplace lactation support in a concise manner.