System analysis of the quality of life self-assessments from the SF-36 questionnaire in breast-feeding or milk formula feeding women

Abstract

Objective. A system analysis of the self-assessments of quality of life (QOL) and the possible rational correction of psychological dysadaptation of nursing women.

Materials and Methods. A survey among 134 healthy women aged 21 to 40, married and having children aged 1 to 12 months at the time of the survey. The first group consisted of women with breast-fed children (1 to 6 months old and “exclusively breastfed” or 6 to 12 months old and receiving “rational breast feeding”); the second group consisted of women with formula-fed children. The non-specific SF-36 questionnaire has been used for the survey. Statistica 6.0 licensed software has been used for statistical processing of gathered scores.

Results. The breast-feeding women (Group 1) showed higher total results in self-assessment of the quality of life compared to the women forced to feed their children with breast milk substitutes (Group 2). The difference affects all 8 scales of the questionnaire, thus varying from the a priori values of the “null hypothesis” (χ²=5.33, df=1) with statistical error probability of p=0.02. The most significant differences of the SF-36 questionnaire assessment indicator scores between the two groups have been identified on BP (intensity and frequency of pain) and MH (mental health) scales.

Conclusions. Our observations have shown significant differences of self-assessments of QOL by women feeding their children in different ways. Breast feeding leads to positive changes in the system of self-assessment of QOL, the lives of nursing women are characterized by greater social support and role activity; they are more socially adapted, not prone to depression and unreasonable mood swings.