Infant regulation during the pandemic: Associations with maternal response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, well‐being, and socio‐emotional investment

Abstract

In the transition to parenthood, the COVID‐19 pandemic poses an additional strain on parental well‐being. Confirmed infections or having to quarantine, as well as public health measures negatively affect parents and infants. Contrary to previous studies mainly focusing on the well‐being of school‐aged children and their parents during lockdown periods, the present study investigated how mothers of infants respond to the COVID‐19 pandemic and whether this is related to maternal well‐being, maternal socio‐emotional investment, and infant regulation. Between April and June 2021, 206 mothers of infants ( M age = 7.14 months, SD age = 3.75 months) reported on COVID‐19 infections, their response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, their well‐being, socio‐emotional investment, and their infant’s regulation. Exploratory factor analyses yielded five dimensions of maternal response to the COVID‐19 pandemic: social distancing, worrying about the child, birth anxiety, distancing from the child, and information on COVID‐19‐related parenting behavior and support. These dimensions were related to mother‐reported infant regulatory problems. Path analyses revealed paths via reduced maternal well‐being and maternal socio‐emotional investment. Maternal perceptions of infant regulatory problems are related to how the mothers respond to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Better information about COVID‐19‐related parenting behavior and support might buffer against these effects.

Mother–Child and Father–Child Emotional Availability during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Prior research on COVID-19 and families has revealed disproportionate negative outcomes for mothers compared to fathers. During the pandemic, mothers were found to be at significant risk of developing mental health issues (internalizing problems), such as depression and anxiety, especially during pregnancy [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Mothers also self-reported more instances of feeling lonely and anxious, and yelling at their children, than fathers [ 8 ].…”

The impact of COVID‐19 on infant development: A special issue of infancy

“…For example, Sperber et al (2023) found that the more US mothers reported disruptive life events related to COVID-19, the more they experienced anxiety, depression, and stress when their infants were 12 months old and anxiety and depression when their infants were 24 months old. Likewise, Reinelt et al (2023) found that among a sample of high-SES mothers from Switzerland, those who had a maladaptive response to the pandemic also experienced a decrease in overall well-being.…”

“…Likewise, Reinelt et al. (2023) found that among a sample of high‐SES mothers from Switzerland, those who had a maladaptive response to the pandemic also experienced a decrease in overall well‐being.…”

“…For example, Reinelt et al. (2023) reported that maternal distancing from infants during the pandemic was related to infant regulatory problems. Similarly, Hendry et al.…”

“…Despite the lack of direct effects of the pandemic on infants, there was some evidence of an indirect effect on infants through their caregivers. For example, Reinelt et al (2023) reported that maternal distancing from infants during the pandemic was related to infant regulatory problems. Similarly, Hendry et al (2023) reported that UK mothers who experienced sustained mental distress during the pandemic also reported that their infants experienced higher externalizing and internalizing problems as well as difficulties with executive function.…”