1. Parity and Post-traumatic Stress: A Preliminary Study Benjamin Reissman 1, Sharmilla Amirthalingam 1, Gabriella Deanne 1, Jackie Finik 1,2, Yoko Nomura, Ph.D. 1,2, 1 Department of Psychology, Queens College, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd Flushing NY 11367 2 Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029 Abstract Methods Results Discussion Participants who had 2 previous pregnancies received the highest average score for PTS, followed by 1, 4, 3, 0 and lastly by 5 and 6 pregnancies, equally. A near-significant difference was detected between 2 and 0 pregnancies (p=0.058). No other significant or near-significant differences were detected between groups. (F (6, 151) =.876, p = 0.514). Most participants received adjusted sums on the PDS-S under 20. Only 10 participants received an adjusted score of 20 or greater, with a maximum of 55 out of the possible maximum of 111. Of the 10 participants who were determined to be at severe risk for PTSD (score of 20-55 on the PDS-S), two had 0 previous pregnancies, 3 had 1 previous birth, and the remaining five had 2 previous pregnancies. Figures Most participants received scores under 20 out of 111. Only 10 participants of the entire sample (N=158) received an adjusted score of 20 or greater, with a maximum of 55. All ten of these participants were residing in Northern Queens at the time, four in Corona. Results indicate that participants with 2 previous pregnancies were, on average, at most risk for PTSD, however overall parity did not appear to be significantly connected to risk for PTSD This may be due to the small sample size, and potential confounding factors such as residential location during Hurricane Sandy, socioeconomic status and psychological resilience following trauma, which all may affect one’s risk for PTSD. In order to further evaluate an underlying characteristic that may increase maternal risk for PTSD, our next step in this study will involve case studies of participants from similar multivariate demographics. Investigating risk factors for PTSD can help tailor programs to mediate PTSD among high risk populations, which may improve quality of life for new mothers and their families. Aim & Background References: 1. Parfitt, A., & Ayers, S. (2014) Transition to parenthood and mental health in first-time parents. Infant Health Journal. 35(3), 263–273. 2. Hoirisch-Clapauch, S., Brenner, B., & Nardi, A. E. (2015). Adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes in women with mental disorders. Thrombosis Research. 135, S60–S63. PDS Scores Fig. 1: Average severity of PTSD symptoms, as a function of participant scores on the PDS-S. Fig. 2: Expected average severity of PTSD symptoms, as a of participant scores on the PDS-S. Objective: To assess the association between parity and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in pregnant women. Method: Mothers (n=158) were administered a battery of questionnaires at baseline including the Post-Traumatic Diagnostic Scale - Hurricane Sandy Version (PDS), an Impact of Events Scale (IES), and a Sandy Disaster Exposure form to assess traumatic stress exposure related to natural disaster, and PTSD symptomatology. Results: Participants who had 2 previous pregnancies received the highest average score on the PDS, followed by 1, 4, 3, 0 and lastly by 5 and 6 pregnancies, equally. A near-significant difference was detected between 2 and 0 pregnancies (p=0.058). No other significant or near-significant differences were detected among groups (p = 0.514). Conclusion: While preliminary, the current study indicates that maternal parity may influence maternal PTSD symptomatology, however a larger sample size is necessary to comprehensively investigate this connection. Aim: In an effort further investigate how parity may relate to prenatal and postpartum mental health, a preliminary study was conducted which reviewed PTSD in relation to exposure toward Hurricane Sandy. It was expected that participants who were pregnant with their first child would experience the highest average levels of post-traumatic stress, at a level significantly higher than those who were pregnant with their fourth or later child during Hurricane Sandy (see Fig. 2). Background: Previous studies have shown that the mental health for first-time parents changes significantly from pre-partum status to post-partum status (Parfitt and Ayers, 2014, 2015; Hoirisch-Clapauch et al., 2015). In one study by Parfitt and Ayers (2014), first-time mothers with PTSD experienced more severe symptoms of avoidance and immobilization during postpartum phase and postpartum depression. Participants: The participant sample of this study consists of 158 mothers who were recruited to participate in a longitudinal birth cohort study (SIP Study; PI: Yoko Nomura) at Mount Sinai Hospital and New York Presbyterian-Queens’ OB/GYN clinics during their second trimester of pregnancy. Measures: Presence of PTSD symptomatology was assessed via PDS- Hurricane Sand Version, parity (number of times participants have delivered prior to the current pregnancy) was retrieved via participant medical chart. Materials: Participants completed the PDS- Hurricane Sandy Version, in addition to an Impact of Events Scale (IES), Sandy Disaster Exposure form, baseline measure and a demographics survey; administered by research staff. The Post-Traumatic Disorder Diagnosis Scale - Hurricane Sandy Version (PDS) operationalizes a participant's physical exposure, hyperarousal, preoccupation, avoidance, and other sensations related to exposure to Hurricane Sandy both during and a month after it had ceased, via thirty-five items. 6 binary items determine physical exposure, injury, perceived danger to one's self or another person, feelings of helplessness or fear during Hurricane Sandy. 17 items measure frequency of hyperarousal, preoccupation, avoidance, obsession, detachment, and depressive. 2 assess duration of post-traumatic symptoms and. 9 binary items lists overall level of functioning and extent of interference by symptoms. The final item asks whether Hurricane Sandy would be considered the most upsetting event in a participant's life. Participants scores may range from 111 points (maximum) or as little as 0 points, higher numbers indicate more symptoms. Data Analysis: Average participant scores on the PDS-S were sorted according to parity as collected via medical chart.