Positive Childhood Experiences Research Articles

Prevalence of Positive Childhood Experiences and Associations with Current Anxiety, Depression, and Behavioral or Conduct Problems among U.S. Children Aged 6–17 Years

Prevalence of Positive Childhood Experiences and Associations with Current Anxiety, Depression, and Behavioral or Conduct Problems among U.S. Children Aged 6–17 Years

Prevalence of Positive Childhood Experiences Among Adults - Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Four States, 2015-2021.

Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) promote optimal health and mitigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences, but PCE prevalence in the United States is not well-known. Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, this study describes the prevalence of individual and cumulative PCEs among adults residing in four states: Kansas (2020), Montana (2019), South Carolina (2020), and Wisconsin (2015). Cumulative PCE scores were calculated by summing affirmative responses to seven questions. Subscores were created for family-related (three questions) and community-related (four questions) PCEs. The prevalence of individual PCEs varied from 59.5% (enjoyed participating in community traditions) to 90.5% (adult in respondents' household made them feel safe), and differed significantly by race and ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation. Fewer non-Hispanic Black or African American (49.2%), non-Hispanic Alaska Native or American Indian (37.7%), and Hispanic or Latino respondents (38.9%) reported 6-7 PCEs than did non-Hispanic White respondents (55.2%). Gay or lesbian, and bisexual respondents were less likely than were straight respondents to report 6-7 PCEs (38.1% and 27.4% versus 54.7%, respectively). A PCE score of 6-7 was more frequent among persons with higher income and education. Improved understanding of the relationship of PCEs to adult health and well-being and variation among population subgroups might help reduce health inequities.

The impact of positive childhood experiences on adult psychiatric disorder and symptoms: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies

The impact of positive childhood experiences on adult psychiatric disorder and symptoms: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies

Recovery from substance use disorder among adolescents: Roles of adverse and positive childhood experiences

AbstractThis study examines the roles of positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) among adolescents ages 12–17, utilizing data from the 2016–2019 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). On a sample of 256 adolescents who have had SUD, a hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the cumulative PCEs significantly increased the odds of SUD recovery, whereas the cumulative ACEs did not decrease the odds.

Collaborating with Families for Innovative School Mental Health

In this study, a comprehensive narrative literature review is presented, examining the cross-section between family engagement and student mental health. Guided by two research questions and grounded in resiliency theory, the overlapping spheres of influence framework, and the literature on protective factors and positive childhood experiences, this study unveiled five primary themes: emphasizing the importance of educators promoting supportive relationships at home, engaging families in building teacher–student connections, collaborating to establish routines and rituals, nurturing a sense of belonging at home and at school, and fostering collaborative problem solving and self-regulation. These themes are illuminated through practical vignettes. This study guides school-based mental health practitioners and educators and provides a roadmap for future research in family–school partnership for enhancing student well-being.

College student mental health: Psychiatric risk and psychological wellbeing

Objective To examine both psychiatric risk and psychological wellbeing in a college student sample drawn from a majority-minority university. Participants 100 participants (42% White; 70 females), mean age, 21.22 years. Methods Univariate and multivariate analyses examined the relationship of psychiatric risk (Brief Symptom Inventory; BSI) and psychological wellbeing (Mental Health Continuum-Short Form; MHC-SF) with student stress, cognition, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and a new Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) scale. Results Risk correlated with increased student stress, higher ACEs and lower PCEs, whereas wellbeing correlated with lower student stress, better neuropsychological functioning, lower ACE and increased PCEs. PCEs predicted enhanced MHC-SF wellbeing and reduced BSI risk, accounting for 22.4% and 13.7% of variance in these measures, respectively. ACEs predicted elevated BSI risk and diminished MHC-SF wellbeing accounting for 8.6% and 5.9% of variance in these measures, respectively. Conclusion College student mental health may benefit from practices aim specifically to enhance wellbeing, stress-resistance, and cognition.

The resounding influence of benevolent childhood experiences.

Research with Indigenous communities has demonstrated the detrimental impacts of intergenerational trauma and disproportionate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health and behavioral outcomes in adulthood. A more balanced narrative that includes positive childhood experiences is needed. The construct of benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) facilitates assessment of positive early life experiences and their impact on well-being for Indigenous peoples. We consider associations between BCEs and well-being when taking into account ACEs and adult positive experiences. Participants are from Healing Pathways, a longitudinal, community-based panel study with Indigenous families in the Midwestern United States and Canada. Data for the current analyses are derived from 453 participants interviewed at wave 9 of the study. Participants reported high levels of positive childhood experiences in the form of BCEs, with 86.5% of the wave 9 participants reporting experiencing at least six of seven positive indicators. BCEs were positively associated with young adult well-being. This relationship persisted even when accounting for ACEs and adult positive experiences. While ACEs were negatively correlated with young adult well-being, they were not significantly associated with well-being when considering family satisfaction and receiving emotional support. Evidence of high levels of BCEs reflects realities of strong Indigenous families and an abundance of positive childhood experiences.

How positive childhood experiences foster college students' adjustment: the role of sibling number and self-esteem.

In recent years, growing concern has emerged regarding the mental health and well-being of college students who confront numerous challenges and transitions during their higher education journey. This research aims to investigate the influence of positive childhood experiences on the adaptability of college students and the underlying mechanisms. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 5,787 college students from Chinese universities. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing positive childhood experiences, self-esteem, the number of siblings, and China college students' adjustment. The results revealed that positive childhood experiences positively predicted the adjustment of China college students, with self-esteem playing a mediating role in this positive effect. Moreover, siblings played an antagonistic moderating role in the positive effect of positive childhood experiences on China college students' adjustment. It is recommended to enhance positive childhood experiences, improve self-esteem, and provide additional care and support to students from multi-sibling families to enhance China college students' adjustment.

#21 - - Positive childhood experiences and adult cardiovascular health

#21 - - Positive childhood experiences and adult cardiovascular health

아동기 생애 부정적 및 긍정적 경험이 대학생 정신건강에 미치는 영향: 아동기 긍정적 경험의 조절효과 탐색

아동기 생애 부정적 및 긍정적 경험이 대학생 정신건강에 미치는 영향: 아동기 긍정적 경험의 조절효과 탐색

Leveraging Public Health and Public School Partnerships for Local Surveillance of Positive Childhood Experiences.

Childhood psychosocial experiences can have a lifelong effect on health. These experiences can be measured together as positive and adverse childhood experiences or individually as positive childhood experiences (PCEs) or adverse childhood experiences. Most research on PCEs has focused on how PCEs promote health outcomes. However, limited research has been conducted on the prevalence of PCEs among adolescents in local areas served by public health departments. The St. Joseph County Department of Health developed a study to test the feasibility of surveillance of PCEs through local public health departments and to establish a prevalence for PCE exposure among a population of urban public-school students in Indiana. We conducted a survey in spring 2022 that collected demographic information on students at 2 high schools and 1 middle school and assessed exposure to PCEs. We assessed prevalence of PCEs on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = never, 1 = rarely, 2 = sometimes, 3 = usually, 4 = always). PCE scores were grouped into low (0-2), medium (3-5), and high (6 or 7). The prevalence of individual PCE items ranged from 35.6% to 86.8%. Among 798 respondents, 189 (23.7%) reported low PCE scores, 396 (49.6%) reported medium scores, and 213 (26.7%) reported high scores. This research demonstrates the feasibility of school-based PCE surveillance and establishes a baseline prevalence of PCE exposure among a population of middle and high school students. These methods are applicable to different contexts and can provide both local health departments and school systems with a new tool to address adverse childhood experiences.

Adverse childhood experience and persistent insomnia during emerging adulthood: do positive childhood experiences matter?

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACE) have been documented to have long-term impacts on sleep disturbances. However, less is known about how ACE co-occurs with positive childhood experiences (PCE) and modulate their effects on adult sleep disturbances, particularly in the context of persistent insomnia. Building on resilience theory, this study aims to examine the interplay between ACE and PCE and their effects on persistent insomnia during emerging adulthood.MethodsA total of 2,841 emerging adults were recruited from the Taiwan Youth Project. Persistent insomnia during emerging adulthood was assessed using two adult surveys (mean age = 19.8 and 21.9). The ACE (10 items) and PCE (7 items) were obtained from the baseline survey (mean age = 13.8). A series of logistic regression analyses were conducted.ResultsAmong the emerging adults, 29.22% had persistent insomnia. Consistent with the compensatory model, ACE and PCE exerted opposing effects on persistent insomnia during emerging adulthood. In line with the protective model, the negative effect of ACE is mitigated when individuals have high PCE. However, consistent with the challenge model, the protective effect of PCE on persistent insomnia was inhibited in individuals with four or more ACE.ConclusionsPCE serves as a protective factor, shielding emerging adults from the adverse effects of ACE on persistent insomnia. It is essential to prioritize positive experiences during early life to promote lifelong sleep health.

Recovered memories in psychotherapy: a survey of practicing psychotherapists in Germany

ABSTRACT We report on a survey of 258 psychotherapists from Germany, focusing on their experiences with memory recovery in general, suggestive therapy procedures, evaluations of recovered memories, and memory recovery in training and guidelines. Most therapists (78%) reported instances of memory recovery encompassing negative and positive childhood experiences, but usually in a minority of patients. Also, most therapists (82%) reported to have held assumptions about unremembered trauma. Patients who held these beliefs were reported by 83% of the therapists. Both therapist and patient assumptions reportedly occurred in a minority of cases. Furthermore, 35% of participants had used therapeutic techniques at least once to recover presumed trauma memories. Only 10% reported assuming trauma in most patients and recovering purported memories in a majority of the attempts. A fifth believed memory recovery was a task of psychotherapy. This belief correlated with trauma assumptions, memory recovery attempts, and recovery frequency. Psychodynamic therapists more often reported to assume trauma behind symptoms and agreed more with problematic views on trauma and memory. No differences showed regarding suggestive behaviour in therapy. Most participants expressed interest in receiving support on dealing with memory recoveries. This interest should be taken up, ideally during therapist training.

Toward Integration of Trauma, Resilience, and Equity Theory and Practice: A Narrative Review and Call for Consilience.

Investigating the roots of health and illness has inspired unprecedented growth in research on trauma and adversity across academic and scientific disciplines. Can this science achieve its potential? How? Much of this research remains siloed and fragmented, limiting integrative approaches to translating science into a unified paradigm. From age-old traditions to the health, social, and basic sciences, this established and rapidly growing body of work has overwhelmingly found that experiences, both positive and negative, profoundly influence life course health. Such convergence across disciplines highlights the complex, intersectional nature and impact of experiences and reveals consilience: agreement of findings across diverse fields. This narrative review explored 400 sources to curate a representative sample of 98 tracing the evolution of trauma theory and practice from the 19th century to the present. It emphasizes research from 1970 to 2022, with a specific focus on adverse childhood experiences, everyday discrimination, sexual and gender minority stress, acculturative stress, and positive childhood experiences. This research reveals how experiences are a cause, catalyst, and key ingredient of health or of illness, disability, and disparities. The review also proposes steps toward a unified paradigm and showcases innovative integrated models and applications. These examples provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding and lead to more effective solutions. Recognition of consilience can connect multidimensional insights on trauma, resilience, and equity to spark further cross-sector innovations toward health, prevention, and justice. Realizing the promise of consilience will require a new era of radical intentionality, ongoing dialogue, and interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve necessary system transformation.

Do positive childhood and adult experiences counter the effects of adverse childhood experiences on learned helplessness?

IntroductionLearned helplessness often arises when an individual feels that a challenging situation is inescapable. Childhood trauma can lead to feelings of learned helplessness in youth and adulthood. Resiliency theory suggests that positive experiences in childhood and adulthood may counteract traumatic experiences in childhood and reduce learned helplessness and promote learned optimism, the antithesis of learned helplessness. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with learned helplessness and optimism in adulthood and whether positive childhood and adult experiences (PCEs and PAEs) can lessen learned helplessness even in the presence of ACEs and promote greater learned optimism.MethodsThe sample consisted of 435 adults who were recruited to participate in the study through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), a crowdsourcing recruitment service. Participants lived in the United States and were 18–56 years at the time of the study. Each participant completed a survey about their childhood and adulthood experiences and learned helplessness and optimism as an adult. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) in Mplus Version 7.ResultsThe learned helplessness scale had two factors which we termed learned helplessness and learned optimism. ACEs were associated with higher self-report of learned helplessness and lower learned optimism. When PCEs were added to the model, ACEs retained their relationship with learned helplessness but were no longer associated with learned optimism. PCEs were positively associated with learned optimism but were not associated with learned helplessness. PAEs were negatively correlated with learned helplessness and positively correlated with learned optimism. Learned optimism and learned helplessness in adults were inversely correlated.DiscussionPotentially traumatic experiences in childhood, as measured by ACEs, may lead to more learned helplessness throughout life. However, positive experiences in both childhood and adulthood can increase learned optimism, which was correlated with lower learned helplessness, even when childhood trauma was experienced.

The Transformational Impact of HOPE

Educators and caregivers can foster emotional wellbeing, growth, and resilience, contributing to a fulfilling and balanced adulthood by providing positive childhood experiences.

A Scoping Review of Positive Childhood Experiences: Measurement and Evidence

A Scoping Review of Positive Childhood Experiences: Measurement and Evidence

Mental health in Ukraine in 2023.

Very little is known about the mental health of the adult population of Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of seven mental health disorders, the proportion of adults screening positive for any disorder, and the sociodemographic factors associated with meeting requirements for each and any disorder. A non-probability quota sample (N=2,050) of adults living in Ukraine in September 2023 was collected online. Participants completed self-report questionnaires of the seven mental health disorders. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of the different disorders. Prevalence estimates ranged from 1.5% (cannabis use disorder) to 15.2% (generalized anxiety disorder), and 36.3% screened positive for any of the seven disorders. Females were significantly more likely than males (39.0% vs. 33.8%) to screen positive for any disorder. Disruption to life due to Russia's 2014 invasion of Ukraine, greater financial worries, and having fewer positive childhood experiences were consistent risk factors for different mental health disorders and for any or multiple disorders. Our findings show that approximately one in three adults living in Ukraine report problems consistent with meeting diagnostic requirements for a mental health disorder 18months after Russia's full-scale invasion. Ukraine's mental healthcare system has been severely compromised by the loss of infrastructure and human capital due to the war. These findings may help to identify those most vulnerable so that limited resources can be used most effectively.

Seeking gender-affirming medical care: A phenomenological inquiry on skillful coping with transgender and non-binary adults in the United States Midwest.

This study sought to understand how transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB) individuals skillfully cope with healthcare services and to explore how childhood experiences impact expectations, habits, and meaning-making when utilizing healthcare services. Using an interpretive phenomenological approach, we sampled 17, White TGNB adults in the United States, ages 19 to 57, using semi-structed interviews about childhood experiences with healthcare utilization and adult experiences seeking genderaffirming healthcare. Analysis identified one main theme-Anticipate the worst in healthcare and be pleasantly surprised-and three subthemes: i) contrast between positive childhood and negative adulthood experiences in medical care; ii) coping practices for the worst; and iii) finding your unicorn doctor and medical staff for pleasant experiences. Results indicate participants experienced a disruption and acquisition of new coping practices in healthcare settings and the cultivation of a radical imagination for a more liberated medical world for TGNB people. Implications for providers and medical offices for empowering TGNB adults are described.

Association of positive childhood experiences with flourishing among children with ADHD: A population-based study in the United States

BackgroundChild flourishing includes healthy social and emotional development and an open, engaged approach to learning. However, there remains a significant knowledge gap concerning a minority of children with ADHD who may demonstrate flourishing in one or more areas of functioning. This study investigated the association between positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and flourishing among children with ADHD. MethodData were derived from the 2021 National Survey of Children's Health in the United States. The analysis included a final sample of 3727 children with ADHD. Logistic regression, restricted cubic splines, and random forest were used to examine the associations between seven PCEs and flourishing. ResultsThe adjusted odds of flourishing were 72% lower (odds ratio [OR] = 0.28,95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.21, 0.38) among children with PCE scores of 0–2 compared to those with scores of 3–5. In addition, the adjusted odds of flourishing were 2.45 times (95%CI = 2.00, 2.99) greater for children with PCE scores of 6–7 compared to those with scores of 3–5. These associations were consistent regardless of the level of adverse childhood experiences. Having a “connected caregiver” was the PCE most closely related to flourishing (unweighted OR = 3.24, 95%CI = 2.72, 3.89). ConclusionsOur findings revealed a positive association between higher levels of PCEs and greater flourishing among children with ADHD, regardless of the level of childhood adversity they experienced. These results highlight the importance of positive experiences in the lives of children with ADHD, with a specific focus on nurturing supportive relationships within families.