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Hurricane Maria was the worst recorded natural disaster to affect Puerto Rico. Increased stress in pregnant women during and in the aftermath of the hurricane may have induced epigenetic changes in their infants, which could affect gene expression. Stage of gestation at the time of the event was associated with significant differences in DNA methylation in the infants, especially those who were at around 20–25 weeks of gestation when the hurricane struck. Significant differences in DNA methylation were also associated with maternal mental status assessed after the hurricane, and with property damage. Hurricane Maria could have long lasting consequences to children who were exposed to this disaster during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the relationship/experience of the mother-child dyad (Provenzi et al., 2021). Our objective is to identify the association of pandemic related maternal stress with child development. We will further evaluate the role of bonding, attachment, and trauma on this association. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We aim to recall a prospective cohort (n=200) of Latinx/Hispanic mothers from an ongoing study, power analysis will estimate minimum sample size (power=0.80 and alpha =0.05). Assessments of pandemic related maternal stress (PRMS) will be done with the COVID-19 and Perinatal Experiences Interview, perceived stress scale, and Parental Stress Index. Bonding, attachment, and trauma history will be assessed with psychological questionnaires and Childs behaviors with the Ackerman-CBCL questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis will be done. Correlations will identify associations and multivariate models will assess the role of parental bonding and effects of maternal attachment/trauma on associations to PRMS and child behavioral outcomes (controlling for confounding effects). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: First, we expect to find that mothers will report higher levels of stress (pandemic related, perceived, and parental) which will be associated with less bonding behaviors towards her child. Second, we expect that mothers levels of PRMS will be mediated by poorer bonding characteristics thus leading to negative child behavioral outcomes (i.e., poor regulation, crying spells, alterations in physiological patterns, and social-emotional developmental outcomes). Further mothers insecure attachment traits and trauma history will moderate perception of stress and negative child behavioral outcomes. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Results will describe stress in Latinx/Hispanics mothers during the pandemic and effects on child development. Identifying the role of maternal bonding/attachment will point to how this formative relationship has transformed during the pandemic, providing knowledge of mother-child resiliency.

Specialized evidence-based clinics are available for psychological trauma treatment. Data from patients in these clinics must be analyzed in order to better understand this population. In this study, we described the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients from an evidence-based, anxiety disorder treatment/research center, located in the metropolitan area of Puerto Rico: The Center for the study of Fear and Anxiety (known by its Spanish acronym, CETMA). We performed a secondary data analysis of CETMA database, with data from the multidimensional evaluation, performed at the initial screening interview. We identified 35 patients with a preliminary diagnosis of PTSD. Patients with PTSD were mostly women, between 19-30 years, single, employed, with a completed bachelor’s degree. Also, they had 2-4 diagnoses, the most common comorbidity was generalized anxiety disorder. They reported a previous psychiatric history of PTSD, depression, and panic attacks. On average, patients received 1-15 therapeutic sessions. Findings highlight the need for educating and disseminating these services to the public, a population with an increased risk for PTSD.