Born Under COVID-19 Pandemic Conditions: Infant Regulatory Problems and Maternal Mental Health at 7 Months Postpartum

Abstract

BackgroundThe SARS-COVID-19 pandemic and its associated disease control restrictions have in multiple ways affected families with young children, who may be especially vulnerable to mental health problems. Studies report an increase in perinatal parental distress as well as symptoms of anxiety or depression in children during the pandemic. Currently, little is known about the impact of the pandemic on infants and their development. Infant regulatory problems (RPs) have been identified as early indicators of child socio-emotional development, strongly associated with maternal mental health and the early parent–infant interaction. Our study investigates whether early parenthood under COVID-19 is associated with more maternal depressive symptoms and with a perception of their infants as having more RPs regarding crying/fussing, sleeping, or eating, compared to mothers assessed before the pandemic.MethodsAs part of a longitudinal study, 65 women who had given birth during the first nationwide disease control restrictions in Northern Germany, were surveyed at 7 months postpartum and compared to 97 women assessed before the pandemic. RPs and on maternal depressive symptoms were assessed by maternal report. Number of previous children, infant negative emotionality, and perceived social support were assessed as control variables.ResultsCompared to the control cohort, infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic and those of mothers with higher depressive symptoms were perceived as having more sleeping and crying, but not more eating problems. Regression-based analyses showed no additional moderating effect of parenthood under COVID-19 on the association of depressive symptoms with RPs. Infant negative emotionality was positively, and number of previous children was negatively associated with RPs.LimitationsDue to the small sample size and cross-sectional assessment, the possibility for more complex multivariate analysis was limited. The use of parent-report questionnaires to assess infant RPs can support but not replace clinical diagnosis.ConclusionsThe pandemic conditions affecting everyday life may have a long-term influence on impaired infant self- and maternal co-regulation and on maternal mental health. This should be addressed in peripartum and pediatric care. Qualitative and longitudinal studies focusing on long-term parental and infant outcomes under ongoing pandemic conditions are encouraged.

Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on mental health in parents of infants with colic and on healthcare use

“…Our results are in line with a German study, where infants with IC were more frequently reported by moms who gave birth during the COVID‐19 pandemic than in a control non‐pandemic cohort 25 . A higher maternal depression score strengthened this effect 25 …”

Linking maternal psychopathology to children's excessive crying and sleeping problems in a large representative German sample—The mediating role of social isolation and bonding difficulties

“…Adding to this body of research, in a large cross-sectional study of Australian mothers with newborns, Eastwood et al (2013) found social exclusion and isolation-as well as a lack of maternal responsiveness and infants' sleeping problems and difficulties being comfortedto be significantly linked to postpartum depression. Focusing on child regulatory problems, a very recent study on the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic shows that mothers with higher levels of depres sion and infants born during the first lockdown (vs. those born before the pandemic) were reported to have higher levels of sleeping and crying problems (Perez et al, 2021). However, the association between social isolation and regulatory problems is less clear.…”

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“…Furthermore, some services for children already enrolled in early childhood intervention were also suspended during the lockdowns, reaction and adaptation to the sudden crisis depended on how services modified their operation (Ramos, 2021). In our article, we wish to add knowledge to what already has been observed internationally (Liu et al 2022, Perez et al, 2022, Venta et al, 2021 by being the first to examine the changes, processes in early childhood intervention and their short-term effects in Hungary. We consider these issues highly relevant as children and their families were in increased need of adequate services.…”