People who have positive experiences in childhood are less likely to meet criteria for mental illness in early adulthood, according to a
report in
The American Journal of Psychiatry.
Why It’s Relevant
Observational studies have shown that positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are protective against later mental illness. However, a randomized placebo-controlled trial to test this is ethically difficult. For this study, the researchers emulated a clinical trial using data from the
Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). They tested 10 PCEs, including high-quality parent-child relationships, feeling safe in the neighborhood, a high number of child activities outside the home, and enjoyment of high school.
By the Numbers
- The study sample included 3,499 participants who attended the ALSPAC clinic at age 24 and completed psychiatric assessments.
- After adjusting for confounding variables, each increase in PCE score (up to 10) was associated with 11% reduced odds of meeting criteria for a psychiatric disorder between the ages of 18 and 24.
- Total PCE score was associated with 16% lower odds of meeting criteria for moderate to severe depression by age 24 and 9% lower odds of meeting criteria for generalized anxiety disorder.
- Because of the small number of cases of psychosis (n=33), the findings were inconclusive on the relationship between PCEs and psychotic disorder.
What’s More
The protective effect of PCEs on overall mental health—and specifically depression—remained significant even after factoring in childhood traumatic experiences.
The Other Side
This was not a true randomized control trial, just an
emulation of one. The PCE assessments did not capture the type, frequency, intensity, chronicity, or timing of exposures. Additionally, a limitation of using a total PCE score is that it assumes that each PCE contributes equally to mental health outcomes and may mask differences in the relative importance of specific experiences.
Takeaway Message
“Our findings suggest that PCEs may be promotive factors for mental health in early adulthood,” the researchers wrote. “Well-powered studies are warranted to fully explore the relationship between PCEs and other disorders, including psychotic disorder, in early adulthood.”
Related Information
Source
Jennifer Murphy, et al. Evaluating the effect of positive childhood experiences on the risk of psychiatric disorders in early adulthood. The American Journal of Psychiatry. Published October 14, 2026. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20260007
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