A Qualitative Approach to Understanding Familial Changes Among High and Low Risk Mothers During COVID-19

• In Event: Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Parenting Young Children: Research Collaborations and International Perspectives

Abstract

Introduction:
Social distancing policies and restrictions intended to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have resulted in adverse effects on families with young children and increased patterns of substance use (Spinelli et al., 2020). Individuals in recovery from substance use disorders (SUD) have unique challenges associated with recovery groups and virtual treatment. Pregnant women and women with SUD caring for young children may be particularly at-risk. Studies find that separation of families, economic hardship, and exposure to traumatic events during disasters can have long-term negative effects on children and families (Masten & Motti-Stefanidi, 2020). Importantly, the effects of disasters on children are often indirect through the effects of disasters on parents, emphasizing the importance of examining how disasters affect caregivers of young children. Despite these findings, there are few qualitative studies examining caregivers’ own experiences of a pandemic and how it affects their families, parenting, and/or mental health.

Methods:
The current study includes participants across five states: California, Georgia, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oklahoma (planned n=70 to 100, half of the sample high-risk). Data collection is currently ongoing, and initial findings reported in this abstract are based on data collected from 29 high-risk and 17 low-risk women (pregnant or caring for a child under age five). Caregivers are identified through medical clinics, other research study involvement, or SUD treatment programs. Participants were defined as high-risk if they had used alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs during pregnancy or had a history of SUD. Individual interviews are conducted by data collectors trained in qualitative interviewing and are transcribed and crosschecked. Individual interviews are completed by phone and last approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. Qualitative data analysis of the individual interviews is conducted using NVivo 11 software. A template approach (Patton, 2002) is used to identify broad themes within individual interviews. Research methods were approved through a single Institutional Review Board (sIRB) process. Assessments also include a demographics survey and the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII; Grasso, et al., 2020) completed prior to the interview.

Results and Conclusion:
Based on data collection thus far (n=46), themes were organized into key familial adjustments related to both positive and negative changes (see Table 1). Specific changes were related to familial stress and social distancing/social isolation. Participants discussed how they have dealt with the changes and stress experienced during COVID-19, and how previous life experiences have impacted their ability to cope with changes during the pandemic.

Overall, the current qualitative findings add to our understanding of positive and negative familial changes during a pandemic and ways families have dealt with these changes. Current results indicate the need to prioritize supporting families during times of stress and the importance of understanding how families deal with changes during a pandemic. Results on differences and similarities among high and low-risk participants will be presented as part of the symposium as well as mixed-methods findings.

Authors

• Lana Beasley, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
  Presenting Author

• Amanda Sheffield Morris, Oklahoma State University - Tulsa
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jens E Jespersen, Oklahoma State University - Center for Health Sciences
  Non-Presenting Author

• Mallory Schmidt, Oklahoma State University-Stillwater
  Non-Presenting Author

• Ashleigh L. Chiaf, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
  Non-Presenting Author

• Ludmila N. Bakhireva, University of New Mexico
  Non-Presenting Author

• Julia Stephen, University of New Mexico
  Non-Presenting Author

• Claire D Coles, Emory University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Julie A. Kable, Emory University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Christina Chambers, University of California San Diego
  Non-Presenting Author

• Lynn Singer, Case Western Reserve University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Julie M. Croff, Oklahoma State University
  Non-Presenting Author