The Psychological and Economic toll of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Latina Mothers in Primarily Low-income Essential Worker Families

• In Event: Trajectories of Family Mental Health During COVID-19: A Focus on Socioeconomic Contexts

Abstract

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing widespread economic devastation, which according to the Family Stress Model, is likely to cause downstream psychological consequences for parents (Masarik & Conger, 2017). These consequences might be especially potent during the pandemic as parents are simultaneously caring for children and juggling employment all during the pandemic-induced school closures and rising threats of illness. Reports indicate Latino families are particularly vulnerable to the economic and health risks of the pandemic due to the consequences of systemic oppression (Webb Hooper et al., 2020). Specifically, the Latino community is disproportionately represented in the low-wage essential workforce (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019), increasing rates of exposure. Likewise, higher rates of pre-existing health conditions are resulting in increased hospitalization and death from the virus (CDC, 2020). Further, Latinos disproportionately experience poverty, increasing their risk of further economic hardship. Given the confluence of risk factors, studying the economic impact of the pandemic on mothers’ psychological wellbeing (stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms) in Latino families with young children is particularly important. The passage of the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act resulted in a direct cash transfer to many families within the U.S. This aid has the potential to buffer both the economic and psychological tolls of the pandemic.

Method. A sample of 70 Latina mothers were assessed via phone survey during California’s initial “shelter in place” mandate (March 20 - June 1). The majority of the families (72.9%) included at least one employed adult, of which 91.7% were essential workers. Most families had only one child with an average age of 3.3 years old. Economic cutbacks were assessed via a modified Economic Hardship Scale (Conger et al., 1992), depressive and anxiety symptoms were each assessed via 3 items each on the PRAMS-6 (CDC,). Stress was assessed via 5 point-likert responses on a single item, “How stressed are you due to the virus outbreak?” from 1=Not at all stressed to 5=Extremely stressed.

Results. Due to the pandemic, 52.7% of the mothers reported being forced to engage in economic cutbacks ranging from buying less clothes to missing rent (figure 1). Mothers’ experiences of stress during the outbreak stem from worries about themselves contracting the virus and making economic cutbacks. Economic cutbacks were also associated with greater experiences of stress t(68) = -2.4, p = .02, depressive symptoms t(68) = -2.13, p = .04, and anxiety symptoms t(68) = -2.52, p = .01 (figure 2). Receiving the stimulus payment did not reduce economic cutbacks, stress, or depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Discussion. Findings highlight COVID-19’s economic and psychological toll on Latina mothers. Theoretical and empirical research shows that parents’ psychological distress often spills over to impact their ability to provide sensitive and responsive care to their children, potentially jeopardizing child well-being (McLoyd, 1990). Though the current stimulus payment was not sufficient to reduce economic cutbacks, aid at levels that reduce economic cutbacks have the potential to increase maternal wellbeing and reduce any subsequent spillover to the child.

Authors

• Chase James Boyer, University of California - Davis
  Presenting Author

• Andrea Cecilia Buhler-Wassmann, New York University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Leah Corinne Hibel, University of California - Davis
  Non-Presenting Author