Childhood Experiences and Psychological Distress: Can Benevolent Childhood Experiences Counteract the Negative Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences?
Abstract:BackgroundChildhood experiences can exert a huge impact on adult psychological conditions. Previous studies have confirmed the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) on psychological distress (e.g., stress, depression, and suicidal ideation) separately, but few studies explored a combined effect of ACEs and BCEs on psychological distress. The aim of this study was to explore a combined effect of ACEs and BCEs on psychological distress among Chinese undergrad… Show more
“…Not only for the university level, BCEs can have lifelong effects on mental health and physical health ( 27 ). BCEs improve individual's capacity to control emotions, which benefits adult health ( 49 , 50 ).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The BCEs scale (27), which comprises 10 items of positive childhood experiences that occurred before the age of 18, was used to assess BCEs. Items include (1) having at least one safe caregiver, (2) having at least one good friend, (3) having beliefs that gave comfort, (4) enjoying school, ( 5) having at least one teacher who cared, (6) having good neighbors, (7) having an adult who could provide support or advice, (8) having opportunities to have a good time, (9) having a positive selfconcept, and (10) having a predictable home routine.…”
“…Furthermore, one cross-sectional study of Chinese university students shows that BCEs are negatively associated with uncertainty stress and provide a buffer for uncertainty stress ( 26 ). Hou et al also found that Chinese university students who experienced more BCEs were less likely to have uncertainty stress ( 27 ).…”
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to explore the association between benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) and uncertainty stress among Chinese university students by network analysis.MethodsA total of 1,830 university students from three Chinese cities were recruited. Respondents' BCEs and uncertainty stress were self-reported using online questionnaire. The structure of the BCEs-uncertainty stress and related centrality indicators were examined for this sample.ResultsThe overall network model showed that “no ways to suit the important changes in life” was the most influential, followed by “all things are not going well,” “feel that there is nothing to do,” and “worry about the future.” And in this network, the most influential bridge symptom was “having a positive self-concept.”ConclusionThe central symptoms of the BCEs-uncertainty stress network should be prioritized as targets in interventions and prevention efforts to reduce uncertainty stress among Chinese university students. Improving university students' positive self-concept is important to alleviate the level of uncertainty stress among Chinese university students.
“…Not only for the university level, BCEs can have lifelong effects on mental health and physical health ( 27 ). BCEs improve individual's capacity to control emotions, which benefits adult health ( 49 , 50 ).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The BCEs scale (27), which comprises 10 items of positive childhood experiences that occurred before the age of 18, was used to assess BCEs. Items include (1) having at least one safe caregiver, (2) having at least one good friend, (3) having beliefs that gave comfort, (4) enjoying school, ( 5) having at least one teacher who cared, (6) having good neighbors, (7) having an adult who could provide support or advice, (8) having opportunities to have a good time, (9) having a positive selfconcept, and (10) having a predictable home routine.…”
“…Furthermore, one cross-sectional study of Chinese university students shows that BCEs are negatively associated with uncertainty stress and provide a buffer for uncertainty stress ( 26 ). Hou et al also found that Chinese university students who experienced more BCEs were less likely to have uncertainty stress ( 27 ).…”
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to explore the association between benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) and uncertainty stress among Chinese university students by network analysis.MethodsA total of 1,830 university students from three Chinese cities were recruited. Respondents' BCEs and uncertainty stress were self-reported using online questionnaire. The structure of the BCEs-uncertainty stress and related centrality indicators were examined for this sample.ResultsThe overall network model showed that “no ways to suit the important changes in life” was the most influential, followed by “all things are not going well,” “feel that there is nothing to do,” and “worry about the future.” And in this network, the most influential bridge symptom was “having a positive self-concept.”ConclusionThe central symptoms of the BCEs-uncertainty stress network should be prioritized as targets in interventions and prevention efforts to reduce uncertainty stress among Chinese university students. Improving university students' positive self-concept is important to alleviate the level of uncertainty stress among Chinese university students.
“…In recent years, scientific attention to positive childhood experiences is increasing as well, because of their preventive and mitigating effects on ACEs, thereby contributing to a healthy development and well-being in life [ 18 , 33 ]. International research regarding positive experiences in childhood, also referred to in research as protective and compensatory experiences (PCEs) [ 34 , 35 ] or advantageous childhood experiences [ 36 ], counter-ACEs [ 36 ] or benevolent childhood experiences [ 37 ] is growing. PCEs are experiences that promote resilience in the face of adversity [ 37 ].…”
Section: Adverse Childhood Experiences Protective and Compensatory Ex...mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…International research regarding positive experiences in childhood, also referred to in research as protective and compensatory experiences (PCEs) [ 34 , 35 ] or advantageous childhood experiences [ 36 ], counter-ACEs [ 36 ] or benevolent childhood experiences [ 37 ] is growing. PCEs are experiences that promote resilience in the face of adversity [ 37 ]. Resilience is a dynamic, systemic process, based both on internal and external sources [ 38 ].…”
Section: Adverse Childhood Experiences Protective and Compensatory Ex...mentioning
In this opinion article, we want to inspire readers by highlighting recent Dutch developments about two important health related issues regarding the quality of life of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Firstly we focus on the prevention, treatment and reduction of (disability-related) somatic and psychological problems by specialized physicians for people with intellectual disabilities. Secondly, we emphasize the importance of the prevention of adverse childhood experiences and the promotion of protective and compensatory experiences. Subsequently, we stress the need for trauma informed care to support children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities who encounter adverse events. A specialized and multidisciplinary approach is advised as is the need for promoting healthy (family) relations with a focus on (co)regulation and connection as a basis for recovery.
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