Abstract
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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 229-243 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | British Journal of Psychology |
| Volume | 114 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 9 Nov 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 28 Feb 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by the Department for the Economy PhD studentship. The Department for the Economy had no role in the study design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in writing the report and in the decision to submit the article for publication. We would also like to acknowledge the Social Care Directorate (Children's Service and Think Family NI), Health and Social Care Board who commissioned and funded the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Prevalence Survey.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors. British Journal of Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Psychological Society.
© 2022 The Authors. British Journal of Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Psychological Society.
Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Department for the Economy PhD studentship. The Department for the Economy had no role in the study design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in writing the report and in the decision to submit the article for publication. We would also like to acknowledge the Social Care Directorate (Children's Service and Think Family NI), Health and Social Care Board who commissioned and funded the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Prevalence Survey.
Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Department for the Economy PhD studentship. The Department for the Economy had no role in the study design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in writing the report and in the decision to submit the article for publication. We would also like to acknowledge the Social Care Directorate (Children's Service and Think Family NI), Health and Social Care Board who commissioned and funded the Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Prevalence Survey.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors. British Journal of Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Psychological Society.
© 2022 The Authors. British Journal of Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Psychological Society.
Keywords
- adolescence
- benevolent childhood experiences
- childhood
- resilience
