Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to develop a Situation-Specific Theory based on the Self-Efficacy Theory applied to breastfeeding mothers in socioeconomic vulnerability. METHODS: the Situation-Specific Theory was constructed based on Callista Roy's assumptions, structured in six stages: (1) defining approach; (2) defining conceptual models; (3) defining the main concept; (4) developing a pictorial diagram; (5) constructing a proposition; (6) establishing causal relationships and evidence for practice. RESULTS: eight socioeconomic factors such as age, parity, maternal occupation, education, marital status, race, social support and family income interfere with the sources of self-efficacy in mothers in socioeconomic vulnerability. The Situation-Specific Theory elements were associated in a pictorial diagram and in causal relationships evidenced by six propositions. CONCLUSIONS: it is concluded that the Situation-Specific Theory can provide a better understanding of the relationships between these factors with the sources of Self-Efficacy Theory in mothers with socioeconomic vulnerability.