Poster #148 - The Mediating role of Mother-Infant bonding on pandemic maternal stress and child behavioral outcomes

• In Event: Poster Session 01

Abstract

Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the formative relationship and experience of the mother-child dyad (Provenzi et al., 2021). Mainly related to increased maternal stress that negatively impacts maternal sensitivity and synchrony to her child. Our objective is to identify the association between pandemic-related maternal stress and child development. We will further evaluate the role of mother-infant bonding on this association. Using a cross sectional prospective cohort design, we will re assess pandemic related maternal stress, perceived stress and parental stress to test associations to child behavioral outcomes during the pandemic. Further, test if maternal bonding mediates such relationships while controlling for previous maternal mental health disorders and specific social determinants of heath (age, sociodemographic variables, etc.).

Methods/Participants
We aim to recall a prospective cohort (n=100) of Latinx/Hispanic mothers, who are in the postpartum period, from an ongoing study approved at the UPR Medical Sciences Campus (2021-2022). Assessments of pandemic-related maternal stress (PRMS) will be done with the COVID-19 and Perinatal Experiences Interview, Perceived Stress Scale, and Parental Stress Index. Mother-infant bonding and maternal trauma history will be assessed with psychological questionnaires (Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, PTSD Symptom Checklist, Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire). Child’s behaviors will be assessed with the Achenbach-CBCL questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis will be done. Correlations will identify associations and multivariate models will assess the role of mother-infant bonding on associations between PRMS and child behavioral outcomes (controlling for confounding effects). Lastly these results of maternal stress will be compared to the first study’s assessment of maternal stress likely providing measures of cumulative stress responses during the pandemic.

Results/Anticipated Results
First, we expect to find that mothers will report higher levels of stress (pandemic-related, perceived, and parental) which will be associated with poorer mother-infant bonding. Second, we expect that the effects of mothers’ PRMS on child behavioral outcomes (i.e., poor regulation, crying spells, alterations in physiological patterns, and social-emotional developmental outcomes) will be mediated by poorer mother-infant bonding. Last, we expect that maternal stress may have maintained or increased as the pandemic has continued likely resulting in cumulative stress or maintenance of stress responses.

Discussion/Significance of Impact
Results will describe stress in Latinx/Hispanics mothers during the pandemic and its effects on child development. Identifying the role of maternal bonding/attachment will point to how the pandemic has affected this formative relationship and will provide insight into how we can help build resiliency in at-risk mother-child dyads. Also, results can help us hypothesize about the possible negative behaviors that can be transferred in the mother-child relationship, when high levels of stress are present. Such can be likely related to fear, uncertainty and worry, which can be detrimental for future attachment formation in children. Likely impacting socio-emotional development. Focusing on interventions to decrease maternal stress can act as prevention will foster healthier development when facing unprecedented events.

Authors

• Polaris Gonzalez-Barrios, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus
  Presenting Author

• Maria José Rivera-Criado, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine

• Sohye Kim, University of Massachusetts Medical School

• Sona Rivas-Tumanyan, University of Puerto Rico

• Carmen Buxo-Martinez, University of Puerto Rico

• Karen G Martinez-Gonzalez, University of Puerto Rico