422 - Effects of Maternal Age on Maternal Caregiving Behavior in the Home in a Pandemic Epicenter

Poster Number: 422
Publication Number: 422.214

Background: The physiological risks and environmental changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic had the potential to influence maternal caregiving behavior (MCB), which is defined as the quality of maternal interactions during routine infant care. Extensive research has established the profound impact of MCB on infant stress reactivity in both human and rodent developmental models. Previous literature has consistently demonstrated a strong correlation between maternal age and the quality of MCB, with mothers aged over 40 exhibiting greater sensitivity and satisfaction in their caregiving. Notably, advanced maternal age has been shown to offer protective effects across a spectrum of cognitive and behavioral outcomes. However, it is essential to acknowledge that age is also a critical risk factor in the severity of COVID-19 outcomes. Thus, maternal age is a crucial variable in comprehending maternal vulnerability to the effects of the pandemic.

Objective: We examine MCB from a subset of mothers who gave birth at Columbia University Medical Center in NYC from March 2020 onward and who were enrolled in the COVID-19 Mother Baby Outcomes (COMBO) initiative.

Design/Methods: Data were analyzed from 149 dyads who participated in a 4-month remote observation, including a videotaped diaper change paradigm that was coded for MCB using scales adapted by Hane from Ainsworth. A diaper change is a routine dyadic interaction that can involve gentle touch and warm social engagement (high MCB) or, in the case of low MCB, rough handling and low engagement. Given the frequency of diapering across infancy, MCB during these interactions may have lasting implications for infant stress reactivity.

Results: We conducted a two-way ANOVA to assess changes in MCB over time across three maternal age groups (under 30, 30-40, and over 40 years of age). There was a significant main effect of maternal age, with mothers in their 30’s showing the highest levels of MCB relative to younger and older mothers, F(2,133)=3.54, p<.05, partial eta-squared=.05. The relationship between maternal age and MCB followed a significant quadratic trend, F(2, 134) = 4.201, p=0.048.

Conclusion(s): MCB significantly differed between age groups following a quadratic trend, where mothers over the age of 40 show lower quality MCB than mothers in their thirties. This result suggests that older mothers are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic in a way that impairs their capacity for sensitive caregiving.