Differences in infant negative affectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to maternal mental health and social support systems.
• Understanding the impact of pandemic-related stressors on infant development and maternal perception is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare infant temperament between infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic and those born prior.
• To investigate the role of maternal mental health and social contact in these differences.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study comparing 263 mothers who gave birth during the pandemic and 72 prior.
• Utilized questionnaires for perinatal mental health, social contact, and infant temperament assessment at 3 months postpartum.

Main Results:

• Mothers of pandemic-born infants reported significantly higher infant negative affectivity (p < .001).
• No differences were found in infant surgency or effortful control.
• Maternal prenatal and postpartum stress mediated the differences in negative affectivity.
• Reduced postpartum social contact correlated with higher infant negative affectivity in the pandemic group.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have influenced maternal perceptions of infant temperament.
• Maternal mental health and social isolation during the pandemic are key factors affecting infant negative affectivity.
• Findings highlight the need for continued support for maternal well-being and social connection in public health crises.