Benevolent Childhood Experiences and Childhood Maltreatment History: Examining their Roles in Depressive Symptoms Across the Peripartum Period

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

BACKGROUND

Research on positive childhood experiences (PCEs) as counterparts to childhood adversity has surged in the last five years. A systematic review of the additive and interactive effects of childhood adversity and PCEs across adult outcomes is needed that contextualizes the long-term correlates of childhood experiences within a developmental perspective.

OBJECTIVE

The current review synthesizes the empirical evidence for PCEs as resilience factors for a range of adult outcomes.

METHODS

Articles published until May 2023 were systematically identified according to PRISMA Guidelines through PubMed and PsycINFO databases and references of included articles. Then, 131 records were screened, and 58 studies were included.

RESULTS

Higher levels of PCEs were significantly but modestly associated with lower levels of childhood adversity. Higher levels of PCEs were associated with outcomes reflecting mental health, psychosocial functioning, physical health and health behaviors, and psychosocial stress. Most studies found direct, promotive effects of PCEs for more favorable outcomes. Few studies found significant interaction effects between childhood adversity and PCEs on outcomes, suggesting that PCEs may more frequently directly promote positive outcomes rather than moderate the effects of adversity on outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals' childhood adversity and PCEs are somewhat independent sets of experiences; many individuals experience both, and the presence of one does not preclude the other. PCEs predict more favorable outcomes independent of childhood adversity more often than they interact with and moderate the effects of adversity on outcomes. Although the literature base is steadily growing, more research on PCEs in diverse and international samples is needed.

Adverse and Benevolent Childhood Experiences Predict Prenatal Sleep Quality

The objective of the study was to investigate whether adverse and benevolent childhood experiences were associated with trajectories of sleep quality throughout pregnancy. The study was conducted at obstetrics and gynecology clinics in the Rocky Mountain region of the USA. The participants of the study were pregnant individuals (N = 164). Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at three gestational time points, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) were assessed once. Multilevel models were conducted to examine the trajectory of sleep quality across gestation in relation to ACEs and BCEs. Sleep quality was similar in early to mid-pregnancy, with a worsening of sleep quality late in pregnancy, following a quadratic trajectory. Higher levels of ACEs predicted poorer prenatal sleep quality (b = 0.36, SE = 0.13, p = .004) throughout pregnancy, while higher levels of BCEs predicted better sleep quality (b = -0.60, SE = 0.17, p < .001) throughout pregnancy. Examination of ACEs subtypes revealed that childhood maltreatment predicted poor sleep quality (b = 0.66, SE = 0.18, p < .001), while childhood household dysfunction was not significantly associated (b = 0.33, SE = 0.21, p = .11). Associations remained after covarying for socioeconomic status and current stressful life events. Both adverse and benevolent childhood experiences predict sleep health during pregnancy. Prevention and intervention strategies targeting resilience and sleep quality during pregnancy should be implemented to promote prenatal health and well-being.