Positive childhood experiences and adult mental health symptoms: A meta-analysis.

IF 3.7 2区心理学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL

Development and Psychopathology Pub Date : 2025-10-10 DOI:10.1017/S0954579425100734

Yijing Zhang

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Abstract

Theoretical perspectives propose that positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are associated with adult mental health symptoms. The aim of the current study was to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the correlations between PCEs and adult mental health symptoms. 41 unique studies (N = 74,492) were included. Significant, negative, medium-to-large, effects were observed between PCEs and each mental health symptom (medium-to-large for overall mental health: r = -.268; and depression: r = -.273; for anxiety: r = -.246; and PTSD: r = -.243), indicating that higher levels of PCEs are linked to fewer mental health difficulties in adulthood. Meta-regression analyses identified current age at the time of mental health assessment and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as significant moderators. Specifically, the promotive effects of PCEs were stronger among younger adults and weakened with higher ACEs exposure, particularly in relation to overall adult mental health symptoms, depression, PTSD, and anxiety. In contrast, no significant moderation effects were found for sex or the type of PCEs measurement tool used. Integrated prevention frameworks that combine ACEs prevention with PCEs promotion can enhance mental health across the lifespan by addressing both risk and promotive pathways and providing developmentally tailored support.

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积极的童年经历与成人心理健康症状：一项荟萃分析。

理论观点认为，积极的童年经历（PCEs）与成人心理健康症状有关。本研究的目的是进行一项荟萃分析，以评估pce与成人心理健康症状之间的相关性。纳入41项独特研究（N = 74,492）。在pce和每一种心理健康症状之间观察到显著的、负的、中到大的影响（总体心理健康的中到大影响：r = - 0.268；抑郁的中到大影响：r = - 0.273；焦虑的中到大影响：r = - 0.246； PTSD的中到大影响：r = - 0.243），表明较高水平的pce与成年后较少的心理健康问题有关。荟萃回归分析确定了心理健康评估时的当前年龄和不良童年经历（ace）是显著的调节因子。具体来说，ace的促进作用在年轻人中更强，随着ace暴露的增加而减弱，特别是与总体成人心理健康症状、抑郁、创伤后应激障碍和焦虑有关。相比之下，性别或使用的pce测量工具类型没有发现显著的调节效应。综合预防框架将ace预防与pce促进结合起来，通过解决风险和促进途径并提供适合发展的支持，可以提高整个生命周期的心理健康。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Development and Psychopathology PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL-

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

9.10%

发文量

319

期刊介绍： This multidisciplinary journal is devoted to the publication of original, empirical, theoretical and review papers which address the interrelationship of normal and pathological development in adults and children. It is intended to serve and integrate the field of developmental psychopathology which strives to understand patterns of adaptation and maladaptation throughout the lifespan. This journal is of interest to psychologists, psychiatrists, social scientists, neuroscientists, paediatricians, and researchers.