The influence of adverse and positive childhood experiences on young people's mental health and experiences of self-harm and suicidal ideation. (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bunting, Lisa; McCartan, Claire; Davidson, Gavin; Grant, Anne; Mulholland, Ciaran; Schubotz, Dirk; Hamill, Ryan; McBride, Orla; Murphy, Jamie; Nolan, Emma; Shevlin, Mark
• Is Part Of: Child abuse & neglect. Volume 140(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: Adverse childhood experiences -- Positive childhood experiences -- Resilience -- Child maltreatment -- Prevalence survey -- Mental health -- Self-harm -- Suicidal ideation; Child abuse -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106159
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-2134

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Few studies have examined the interaction of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) with mental health outcomes in nationally representative European populations. Objective: The primary objective was to test models of resilience through investigating associations between ACEs and PCEs and young people's risk of common mood and anxiety disorders, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Participants and setting: Data were from the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Survey (NIYWS), a stratified random probability household survey conducted between June 2019 and March 2020. Analysis is based on data from adolescents aged 11–19 years ( n = 1299). Method: Logistic regression was used to test the direct effects of ACEs and PCEs on mental health outcomes and the moderating effect of PCEs at different levels of ACE exposure. Results: Prevalence rates of mental health outcomes were: common mood and anxiety disorders (16 %); self-harm (10 %); suicidal ideation (12 %). ACEs and PCEs both independently predicted common mood and anxiety disorders, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Every additional ACE increased the likelihood of a common mood and anxiety disorder (81 %), self-harm (88 %) and suicidal ideation (88 %). Every additional PCE reduced common mood and anxiety disorders (14 %), self-harm (13 %) and suicidal ideation (7 %). There was no moderating effect of PCEs on ACEs and mental health outcomes. Conclusion: The findings suggest that PCEs act largely independently of ACEs and that initiatives to increase PCEs can assist in the prevention of mental health problems.