The Structure of Benevolent Childhood Experiences: A Latent Class Analysis and Association with Mental Health Outcomes and Psychological Factors in a Large Adult UK Sample

Abstract

The aims of this study were firstly to explore the relationship between Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) and demographic variables, secondly to investigate the taxonic structure of BCEs without considering the confounding effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), thirdly to explore associations between latent classes of BCEs and a range of mental health and psychological factors and fourthly to examine the linear vs. non-linear relationship between BCEs and mental health outcomes. The sample analyzed here consisted of n = 2058 UK general population participants. Our findings revealed weak effects of gender, age, and education across the BCEs. A Latent Class Analysis (LCA) revealed four classes: High BCEs (42%), Intermediate BCEs with opportunity (35%), Intermediate BCEs (17%), and Low BCEs (4%). These classes were associated with psychological factors and mental health outcomes, with higher BCE clusters exhibiting better psychosocial functioning overall. Analysis of quadratic terms yielded no significant results. Implications for further research in this area are discussed.