A systematic review of positive childhood experiences and adult outcomes: Promotive and protective processes for resilience in the context of childhood adversity

Seok, Deborah; Dieujuste, Nathalie; Doom, Jenalee R.; Narayan, Angela J.

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106346

Cited by 32 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…This is consistent with the literature, as the protective role of supportive relationships is well documented by past studies [29]. Recent studies found that, even amid adversity, nurturing and supportive relationships with individuals in close proximity (such as family resilience and connection) were linked with positive health indicators among children [16,17,32]. Regarding the operation of PCEs in one's development, there are ongoing discussions in the literature on whether PCEs have promotive (direct impact on health) versus protective functions (protective impact on health amid adversity).…”

Section: Poor Mental Health As An Emerging Public Health Issue In Ado...supporting

confidence: 90%

“…Many studies on ACEs and PCEs have utilized data from adults who retrospectively report their childhood adversity (e.g., Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) [15,16]. Alternatively, parents or guardians have reported on behalf of children aged 0-17 (e.g., National Survey of Children's Health) [17].…”

Section: Use Of Youth-reported Data For Ace and Pce Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding the operation of PCEs in one's development, there are ongoing discussions in the literature on whether PCEs have promotive (direct impact on health) versus protective functions (protective impact on health amid adversity). A recent review of the studies conducted by Han and colleagues [16] highlighted that PCEs may have a more direct impact on mental and physical outcomes rather than moderating the impact of childhood adversity on outcomes. Our study also shows that, even among adolescents with no ACEs, the percentages who reported mental health issues were lower when they had PCEs.…”

Section: Poor Mental Health As An Emerging Public Health Issue In Ado...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Supportive Relationships Mitigate the Effect of Cumulative Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Suicide Considerations—The Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Suh,

Gallaway,

Celaya

2024

Children

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Declining adolescent mental health is a significant public health concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing and stay-at-home orders have led to missed social connections with peers and adults outside households, and this has increased the risk of mental health problems in children and adolescents, particularly those with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Studies have shown that strong interpersonal support improves adolescent mental health. We examined the association between ACEs and poor mental health (including stress, anxiety, and depression) and how the presence of interpersonal support from caring adults and friends and school connectedness can mitigate this relationship among adolescents in Arizona. This study analyzed data from the 2021 Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS; n = 1181), a population-based survey conducted biennially across the United States. The Arizona sample included high school students in grades 9–12 who were enrolled in public and charter schools. This study revealed that nearly three of four adolescents experienced an ACE, and one of five experienced ≥4 ACEs. Compared with adolescents who experienced zero ACEs, those with ≥4 ACEs experienced less interpersonal support from caring adults, friends, and school and more frequently reported poor mental health and suicidal thoughts. However, adolescents with interpersonal support consistently reported lower rates of mental health issues, even with exposure to multiple ACEs. Post-pandemic programs to improve social relationships with adults, peers, and schools are critical, especially for adolescents with multiple adversities.

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Section: Poor Mental Health As An Emerging Public Health Issue In Ado...supporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Use Of Youth-reported Data For Ace and Pce Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Poor Mental Health As An Emerging Public Health Issue In Ado...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Supportive Relationships Mitigate the Effect of Cumulative Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Suicide Considerations—The Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Suh,

Gallaway,

Celaya

2024

Children

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“…The compensatory model of resiliency theory differs from the protective factors model in that it does not assess whether the positive factor may moderate the relationship between adversity and an outcome. Prior research indicates that PCEs are likely to be compensatory factors but have not been shown to consistently work as a moderator or protective factor (26). A compensatory factor is any type of positive behavior (emotional support, healthy eating, exercise, etc.)…”

Section: Positive Experiences and Learned Helplessness And Optimismmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Crandall,

Castaneda,

Barlow

et al. 2024

Front. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry

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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.

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“…Research has shown that after controlling for ACEs, PCEs demonstrate a dose-response relationship with adult mental health and social support, with low levels of PCEs linked to higher likelihood of reporting poor mental health and lower likelihood of receiving social and emotional support (Bethell et al, 2019). PCEs can have direct or indirect effects on physical, mental, and psychosocial functioning by buffering the toxic effects of ACEs on children's wellbeing (Han, Dieujuste, Doom & Narayan, 2023) and represent important opportunities for proactively building healthier families and communities (Danes et al, 2021;Merrick & Narayan, 2020;Wang et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supporting Parents Affected by Childhood Adversity: Embedding a Trauma-Informed Parenting Program in an Urban School District Serving High Poverty Communities

Gross,

Yu,

Wyatt

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Introduction: Programs that build parenting skills and confidence can prevent the intergenerational transmission of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and promote positive childhood experiences (PCEs). However, they can be stigmatizing and difficult to access in under-resourced communities. We explored whether a trauma-informed parenting program offered universally in public schools in high-poverty urban communities can engage and support parents who have experienced multiple ACEs. Methods: Parents participating in an evidence-based parenting program (Chicago Parent Program; CPP) offered universally in their child’s school completed measures of their ACEs, PCEs, and perceptions of program satisfaction and impact. CPP session attendance and group-leader ratings of parent engagement in CPP sessions were also obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlational statistics. Results: Parents (N=230; 82.6% mothers, 67.4% Black/African American, 52.8% with incomes < $20,000) reported high levels of childhood adversity; 53.5% reported four or more ACEs, including witnessing violence (58.8%), physical (48%) and emotional (45.3%) abuse, and household substance abuse (44.4%). On average, parents attended 75% of group sessions and were highly engaged. ACEs and PCEs were negatively correlated (r = -.44, p < .001) though neither was associated with program attendance, engagement, or satisfaction. Parents reported improvements in parenting and child behavior. Conclusions: Results demonstrate that a universal, trauma-informed parenting program in public schools in high-poverty urban communities can engage parents exposed to high levels of ACEs and may disrupt intergenerational transmission of ACEs.

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A systematic review of positive childhood experiences and adult outcomes: Promotive and protective processes for resilience in the context of childhood adversity

Cited by 32 publications

References 51 publications

Supportive Relationships Mitigate the Effect of Cumulative Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Suicide Considerations—The Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Supportive Relationships Mitigate the Effect of Cumulative Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Suicide Considerations—The Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Survey

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

Supporting Parents Affected by Childhood Adversity: Embedding a Trauma-Informed Parenting Program in an Urban School District Serving High Poverty Communities

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