Stressors and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Vulnerable Hispanic Caregivers and Children

Mary Rodríguez-Rabassa (), Estefanía Torres-Marrero, Pablo López, Kamalich Muniz-Rodriguez, Marilyn Borges-Rodríguez, Allison A. Appleton, Larissa Avilés-Santa and Luisa I. Alvarado-Domenech
Additional contact information
Mary Rodríguez-Rabassa: Clinical Psychology Program, Ponce Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
Estefanía Torres-Marrero: Clinical Psychology Program, Ponce Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
Pablo López: RCMI Center for Research Resources, Ponce Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
Kamalich Muniz-Rodriguez: Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
Marilyn Borges-Rodríguez: Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
Allison A. Appleton: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany School of Public Health, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
Larissa Avilés-Santa: Division of Clinical and Health Services Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, 6707 Democracy Blvd. Suite 800, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
Luisa I. Alvarado-Domenech: Department of Pediatrics, Ponce Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce, PR 00732, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Psychological sequelae are important elements of the burden of disease among caregivers. Recognition of the impact of adversity and stress biomarkers is important to prevent mental health problems that affect rearing practices and child well-being. This cross-sectional study explored social determinants of health (SDoH)-mediated stressors during COVID-19 and risks for mental health problems among caregivers of children with prenatal Zika virus exposure. Twenty-five Hispanic caregivers completed surveys assessing SDoH vulnerabilities, COVID-exposures and impact, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, and provided a hair sample for cortisol concentration (HCC). Most caregivers had low education, household income < $15,000/year, and were unemployed. Stressors included disrupted child education and specialized services, and food insecurity. While most reported PTSD symptomatology, multivariate linear regression models adjusted for the caregiver’s age, education, and the child’s sex, revealed that caregivers with high symptomatology had significantly lower HCC than those with low symptomatology and those with food insecurity had significantly higher HCC than participants without food insecurity. The impact of COVID-19 on daily life was characterized on average between worse and better, suggesting variability in susceptibility and coping mechanisms, with the most resilient identifying community support and spirituality resources. SDoH-mediators provide opportunities to prevent adverse mental health outcomes for caregivers and their children.

Keywords: COVID-19 impact; caregivers; post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology; hair cortisol; vulnerable children; Hispanic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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