(PS4-A19) Mothers as a Vulnerable Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Prior Functioning, COVID Stressors, and Social Support in Predicting Maternal Distress

Traumatic events, such as disasters, may lead to significant psychological distress in vulnerable populations, such as youth and parents. Mothers are especially vulnerable both before and after disasters due to safety concerns for their family. As such, mothers are also likely to be vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be viewed as a potentially traumatic, multidimensional stressor. This study examined a cohort of mothers who were exposed to a natural disaster (Hurricane Irma) and re-evaluated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we examined whether mothers who reported greater psychological distress (i.e., posttraumatic stress [PTS], anxiety, and depression) after Irma were more likely to report elevated distress during the COVID pandemic (Aim1). Using a conceptual framework derived from disaster research, we also examined whether COVID stressors predicted increased psychological distress and whether a key resilience factor, social support, could offset the impact of COVID stressors on mothers’ functioning (Aim2). Participants were 112 mothers (M_Age=37.29 years; 88.4% White, 32.1% Hispanic) from southern Florida who participated in a study of Hurricane Irma (T1), and who were recontacted 4–8 months after the start of the pandemic (T2). Using online survey methodology, mothers completed measures of COVID stressors, symptoms of psychological distress (PCL-5, PHQ-9, GAD-7), and social support (ESSI). Aim1 results revealed that mothers’ who reported greater post-hurricane distress (T1) reported significantly more distress during COVID (T2) (r’s=.37 to .42, p’s< .001); all symptom levels (PTS, anxiety, depression) were higher (more than doubled) at T2 compared with T1 (p’s< .000). For Aim2, following the conceptual model of risk and resilience, structural equation modeling examined predictors of T2 symptoms, controlling for race, ethnicity, SES, and T1 (post-hurricane) symptoms. Latent variables were estimated using PTS, anxiety, and depression as distress indicators at both time points. The final model fit the data well (χ²=50.47, p=.06, RMSEA=.06, CFI=.97, SRMR=.08), and indicated that while COVID stressors predicted increased distress at T2 (b = .24, SE = .09, t = 2.56, p = .01), this association was no longer significant after including social support in the model. Further there was a significant indirect effect of COVID stressors via low levels of social support (b=.10, SE=.04, t=2.39, p=.02). In summary, when social support was considered, COVID stressors were not predictive of maternal psychological distress. Overall, findings confirm that mothers are a vulnerable population after disasters as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is troubling as maternal mental health contributes directly to child and adolescent health and well-being. Cognitive-behavioral (CB) interventions that focus on stress management strategies and ways to build social support (e.g., group-based CB interventions; peer support groups) are needed to bolster mothers’ support systems and reduce their mental health vulnerabilities during this difficult period. An emphasis on prevention is paramount, given that the needs for mental health services far exceed the available supply of mental health providers.