Positive changes during the pandemic perceived among mothers in relation to infant Regulation

• In Event: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Emotional Well-being of Caregivers and Children

Abstract

Background Recent data suggests that the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is associated with numerous impacts on mental health, with evidence demonstrating an increase in rates of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress particularly among mothers (Amsalem et al., 2020). Researchers and public health officials have also begun to examine the unique contributions that COVID-19 may offer in regards to positive health implications. Consistent with posttraumatic growth theory (Tedeschi and Calhoun, 1996), it argued that individuals may experience a positive change that occurs after coping with a major life stressor, such as coping through a pandemic and gaining a new sense of perspective and purpose. For example, positive changes that may emerge from the pandemic include more quality time with children and spouse, a greater appreciation for work, and more time to care for personal health. With consideration to the infant self-regulation literature, these positive changes that mothers may experience are important to consider in relation to infant functioning, and specifically regulation. In fact, research suggests that mothers who are able to provide a warm and responsive relationship and structured environment have more opportunities to model and teach self-regulation to their children (Murray et al., 2015). It may be the case, that mothers who are able to identify positive changes and create new routines during stressful experiences, such as COVID-19, are better equipped to establish foundational regulatory skills essential in reducing regulatory problems among their infants (e.g., dysregulation with feeding, sleeping, and crying problems). Thus, the current study aims investigate how low, medium, and high levels of perceived maternal positive change during COVID-19 impact infant regulatory skills, such as feeding, sleeping, and crying problems.

Methods Data came from a high-risk community sample of 33 mothers and their infants. Participants were assessed for impact of COVID-19 in June of 2020. Perceived maternal positive changes were assessed using a subscale of the Epidemic- Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII). Infant regulation was assessed through a number of questions relevant to the duration, amount, and intensity of feeding, sleeping, and crying problems (greater scores indicating greater infant dysregulation).

Results Preliminary analyses suggested a negative correlation among perceived maternal positive changes and infant dysregulation. One-way ANOVA was conducted to assess the effect of perceived maternal positive changes on infant regulation, under high, moderate, and low conditions. Results indicated a significant effect of level of perceived maternal positive changes on infant regulation, while controlling for maternal anxiety [F(2, 29)= 3.69, p=.04]. See Figure 1.

Conclusion Although preliminary, the findings suggest mothers who perceive greater positive change during the pandemic are more likely to report better regulatory functioning among their infants. This may reflect an underlying mechanism of resilience that enables some caregivers to adaptively cope with social stressors and make meaning from them, as well as possibly foster regulatory capacity in their infants.

Authors

• Samantha Addante, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
  Presenting Author

• Ashley N Quigley, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
  Non-Presenting Author

• Gina Erato, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kristin Fields, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
  Non-Presenting Author

• Lucia Ciciolla, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
  Non-Presenting Author