School of Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK.
Queen's University, Belfast, UK.
Br J Psychol. 2023 Feb;114(1):229-243. doi: 10.1111/bjop.12607. Epub 2022 Nov 9.
Emerging research evidence suggests that benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) may partly explain more favourable mental health outcomes among individuals affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). However, much of this research has focused on adult populations. Consequently, this study sought to provide the first rigorous assessment of the prevalence and predictors of BCEs using a nationally representative sample of young people from Northern Ireland (NI). Participants were 11-19-years-olds (N = 1293) who participated in the NI Youth Wellbeing Prevalence Survey (NI-YWS, 2020). Prevalence rates, gender differences and predictors of BCEs were investigated. Results revealed how most of the sample experienced multiple BCEs (95%, n = 1084), with females reporting higher levels of BCEs. Significant positive predictors of BCEs were female gender, parental education, living with both biological parents, and living in areas with lower deprivation, while significant negative predictors of BCEs included family being in receipt of social welfare and older age. Overall, this study highlights how BCEs are common, while the identification of factors associated with likelihood of having positive experiences during early development provides novel insights into those young people who may be at greater risk for maladaptive psychological outcomes.
新兴的研究证据表明，仁慈的童年经历（BCEs）可能部分解释了在经历逆境的儿童经历（ACEs）的个体中更有利的心理健康结果。然而，这项研究的大部分都集中在成年人群体上。因此，本研究旨在利用北爱尔兰（NI）的全国代表性青少年样本，首次对 BCEs 的流行率和预测因素进行严格评估。参与者为 11-19 岁（N=1293）的人，他们参加了 NI 青年福利流行率调查（NI-YWS，2020 年）。调查了 BCEs 的流行率、性别差异和预测因素。研究结果揭示了大多数样本经历了多种 BCEs（95%，n=1084），女性报告的 BCEs 水平更高。BCEs 的显著积极预测因素包括女性性别、父母教育程度、与亲生父母一起生活以及生活在贫困程度较低的地区，而 BCEs 的显著消极预测因素包括家庭接受社会福利和年龄较大。总体而言，本研究强调了 BCEs 的普遍性，同时确定了与早期发展中积极体验可能性相关的因素，为那些可能面临适应不良心理结果风险较高的年轻人提供了新的见解。
