63 - Increased COVID-19 Distress Associated with Lower Parenting Self-Efficacy in the Aftermath of the Flint Water Crisis
Saturday, April 23, 2022
3:30 PM – 6:00 PM US MT
Poster Number: 63 Publication Number: 63.202
Michael D. Gaffney, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Lauren O'Connell, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Flint, MI, United States; Alan L. Mendelsohn, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Juliana Gutierrez, NYU School of Medicine, Astoria, NY, United States; Shanna M. Williams, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Flint, MI, United States; Caitlin F. Canfield, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
Resident New York University Grossman School of Medicine New York, New York, United States
Background: Parenting self-efficacy (PSE) is an important predictor of positive parenting, reduced family dysfunction, and improved child development and health. While family-level stressors have been shown to be associated with reduced PSE, there has been limited study of PSE in the context of stress due to COVID-19. Understanding such associations is especially important in communities experiencing chronic neglect and trauma, who are likely to be at especially high risk.
Objective: To determine the association between COVID-related distress and parenting self-efficacy among low-income, predominately racial/ethnic minority sample in Flint, Michigan, which has faced chronic neglect and trauma in the aftermath of the Flint Water Crisis.
Design/Methods: Secondary cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected via interview with 106 primary caregivers in Flint within 6 months after infants’ birth as part of an ongoing RCT. Primary predictor was COVID-related distress (CEFIS; general distress item, range 1-10). Primary outcome was PSE (PSAM; range 5-25). Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used, controlling for sociodemographic data including first-time parenthood, maternal education, race/ethnicity, marital status, and income-to-need.
Results: Sociodemographics were representative of the Flint population (Table 1). Overall, PSE was high (17.71(2.42)), and parents reported moderate COVID-related distress (4.50(2.58)). Sociodemographic data alone did not predict parenting self-efficacy. When COVID-related distress was added, the model significantly improved (χ2=9.82, p< .01), and it significantly predicted parenting self-efficacy (Table 2).Conclusion(s): Stress from the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with reduced PSE for the study population. Results are especially concerning given known associations between parenting self-efficacy and child outcomes, and disruptions in protective interventions including Early Intervention during the pandemic. Targeted interventions to enhance PSE are critically important following COVID-19 for families experiencing chronic community-level trauma. Table 1Impact of COVID-19-Related Distress on Parenting Self-Efficacy (n = 106) Table 2Impact of COVID-19-Related Distress on Parenting Self-Efficacy (n = 106)