Maternal and child internalizing symptomatology during the COVID-19 pandemic among maltreating and nonmaltreating families

• In Event: The COVID-19 pandemic, family stressors and the efficacy of brief family interventions

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread disruptions in daily life around the world, and has had substantial effects on parents and children, with parents reporting elevated stress and mental health symptoms (Gassman-Pines, Ananat, & Fitz-Henley, 2020; Brown et al., 2020). Given evidence that mental health concerns are exacerbated in the context of family-level stressors, such as loss of childcare and financial changes (Patrick et al., 2020), the effect of the pandemic on mental health may be especially pronounced within low-income families and families involved in the child welfare system. The current study uses longitudinal data of low-income families with and without child maltreatment histories to examine predictors of maternal and child mental health symptoms during the pandemic, while controlling for prior levels of functioning.

The primary objective of the current study was to examine how family resources and perceptions of health during the pandemic were associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in mothers and children from maltreating and nonmaltreating families, while accounting for pre-pandemic resources and functioning,. Participants were mothers and children (aged 5 - 13) involved in a longitudinal study examining the long-term effects of a brief, relational intervention (Reminiscing and Emotion Training; RET) targeting mother-child emotional discussions that was received during early childhood. In May and June of 2020, mothers reported on their current family resources (Family Resource Scale (FRS); Van Horn & Snyder, 2001), physical health, employment, and mental health symptoms (measured by the PRAMS-3D and PRAMS-3A; O’Hara et al., 2012; Davis et al., 2013). Of the total sample (N=242), 86 mothers with a history of maltreatment perpetration and 53 demographically matched non-maltreating mothers participated. Of the maltreating sample, 41 mothers participated in the RET intervention. Maltreating families not randomized into the RET group received enhanced case management based on their original FRS scores. All families previously participated in four waves of data collection before the pandemic.

Results indicated that 73.4% of the sample reported changes in income, 33.1% reported falling behind on bills, and 33.5% reported family-level changes in employment status since the start of the pandemic. Four hierarchical regressions were conducted to examine how current family resources, employment changes, and perceptions of health were associated with maternal and child depressive and anxiety symptoms while controlling for maltreatment status, intervention status, race, and pre-pandemic family resources and levels of psychopathology. Results indicated that fewer family resources during the pandemic were significantly associated with maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms and child anxiety symptoms, over and above pre-pandemic functioning (see Tables 1 and 2). Elevated pre-pandemic maternal depressive symptoms were associated with higher maternal depressive symptoms. Maternal perceptions of health were uniquely predictive of elevated maternal anxiety symptoms. Finally, mothers in the RET group reported the highest levels of child anxiety symptoms. Post-hoc analyses will explore what is contributing to this effect. These results suggest that pre-pandemic maternal depressive symptoms, and current (mid-pandemic) family resources and perceptions of health are significant contributors to current maternal and child psychological adjustment and provide insight into predictors of adverse pandemic-related outcomes.

Authors

• Brigid M Behrens, University of Notre Dame
  Presenting Author

• Katherine Edler, University of Notre Dame
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kreila E. Cote, University of Notre Dame
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kristin Valentino, University of Notre Dame
  Non-Presenting Author