186 - Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Health and Well-Being Among Low-Income Parents of Infants and Toddlers

Poster Number: 186
Publication Number: 186.413

Taylor C. Salaguinto, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States; Yasmin Guzman, Seattle Children's, Seattle, WA, United States; Sarah J. Lowry, Seattle Children's, Seattle, WA, United States; Kendra Liljenquist, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States; Rachel N. LaFontaine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States; Tumaini R. Coker, University of Washington School of Medicine/Seattle Children's, Seattle, WA, United States

Background: The COVID-19 Pandemic has negatively impacted the health of children and families; however, little research has focused on the impact on families during the infancy and early childhood period—a vulnerable period already associated with greater risk of household financial hardship and poor maternal health.

Objective: To examine changes in the well-being among families with children ages 0-2 years old from pre-pandemic to COVID-19 Pandemic periods.

Design/Methods: We utilized longitudinal parent survey data from pre-COVID and COVID time periods in an existing cohort of parents with infants ≤12 months at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in two states. At baseline (pre-COVID) and survey administration (COVID pandemic-period), participants reported whether they had trouble paying for 5 categories of household expenses, reported on their child’s overall health, and completed PROMIS measures for Global Physical and Mental Health, and Emotional Support. We asked an open-ended question on the impact of the Pandemic on their family. We used chi-square and paired t-tests to compare pre- and during-COVID measures, followed by adjusted mixed effects linear regression models. We used qualitative analyses to categorize the open-ended question responses into themes.

Results: Of 512 eligible participants enrolled in a well-child care intervention trial prior to the pandemic (March 2019- February 2020), 179 completed the COVID Impact Survey from August 2020-June 2021 either over the phone or online in English or Spanish. 96% of respondents were mothers, 67% reported Latino ethnicity, and 96% had Medicaid insurance for their child. From pre-COVID to COVID periods, there was a substantial and significant increase in the proportion of parents who had trouble paying for household expenses, particularly rent/mortgage. Mean T-scores on parents’ mental health, physical health, and emotional support decreased significantly from the pre-COVID to COVID periods, as did the proportion of parents reporting excellent child overall health. In analysis of the 111 unique qualitative responses, the most salient themes were related to social isolation, socio-emotional health of parents and child, and financial strain.Conclusion(s): Our findings suggest that low-income parents with young children suffered significant declines family well-being from the pre-COVID to COVID pandemic period. Our mixed-methods approach points to the pandemic as a central factor in these declines. Interventions designed to support new parents and buffer the health and economic impacts remain critical.
Table. Parent Global Mental and Physical Health, Emotional Support, Child Global Health, and Household Financial Hardship, Pre COVID (March 2019- Feb 2020) to COVID (Aug 2020 – June 2021)