Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of traumas and strengths in a representative sample of Quebec youth and to test whether poly-strengths were associated with low psychological distress, after controlling for poly-traumas. Method: Using data from the Quebec Youths’ Romantic Relationships survey (QYRRS), hierarchical logistic regressions were conducted to examine the relationship between poly-strengths and low levels of psychological distress, and to identify which strengths were associated with outcomes, after accounting for demographic variables and individuals’ experiences of traumas. Results: More than a third of the sample experienced 4 traumas or more (37.0%). The average number of experienced traumas was 3.04 out of 10 measured traumas. More than half of the sample had at least 5 strengths, the average number of strengths being 3.95 (out of 8). Two third (67.6%) of the sample did not suffer from psychological distress. Among poly-victims, half of the participants (49.6%) showed clinical symptoms of distress. Poly-strengths were uniquely associated with low of clinical distress. After accounting for demographics and poly-traumas, poly-strengths explained 24.2% of the variance of low levels of psychological distress. Self-esteem, optimism, parental support and attachment, number of sources of support, social support (seeking secure base), and capacity to adapt (resiliency) were uniquely associated with low levels of distress. Conclusion and Implications: The combination of strengths decreases the likelihood of experiencing clinical levels of psychological distress, which can contribute to healthy functioning in context of adversities. Findings highlight the importance of promoting multiple and diverse strengths among youth.
Highlights
Childhood trauma is an endemic problem experienced by youth around the world
Inspired from the poly-victimization conceptualization, Grych, Hamby, and Banyard (2015) proposed a strengths-based framework to capture resilience in children and adults exposed to trauma and adverse childhood events by considering the total number of strengths of individuals
The current study aims to extend research on multiple strengths by documenting the relationship between individual strengths and poly-strengths, and low psychological distress in a representative sample of youth
Summary
Childhood trauma is an endemic problem experienced by youth around the world. Childhood trauma has been associated with devastating long-term consequences affecting both the physical and psychological well-being of victims (Felitti et al, 1998; Kalmakis & Chandler, 2015; Trotta, Murray, & Fisher, 2015). Studies have reported higher levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms and psychological distress among young victims relative to non-victims (Kalmakis & Chandler, 2015; Turner, Shattuck, Finkelhor, & Hamby, 2017). Most studies have examined childhood trauma by focussing on specific, individual forms of victimization and related adverse childhood events (Finkelhor, Orrarod, & Turner, 2007; Paolucci, Genuis, & Violato, 2001). The consideration of poly-victimization in past empirical studies suggest that it is the total burden, rather than one form of victimization, that is the crucial factor related to negative psychological outcomes (Felitti et al, 1998; Finkelhor et al, 2007). The current study aims to extend research on multiple strengths by documenting the relationship between individual strengths and poly-strengths, and low psychological distress in a representative sample of youth
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