Impact of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs): A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies

Abstract

Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) may mitigate the negative outcomes resulting from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). To date, most PCE research has used cross-sectional or retrospective designs. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched in May 2024 for longitudinal studies that examined the impact of cumulative PCEs. Eight publications from five longitudinal studies with a total of 16,451 participants were included. Three studies focused only on adolescent outcomes. PCEs were associated with reduced rates of depression, substance use, delinquent behavior, risky sexual behavior, persistent insomnia, and lower inflammatory markers. Cumulative PCEs in childhood may moderate the impact of ACEs, potentially playing an important role in reducing the risk for mental disorders and other adverse outcomes later in life.PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022384775).