Purpose
The analysis is based on the article that sought to examine “the validity and reliability of the Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) scale, a new instrument of PCEs, in a large sample of Chinese adults” (Zhan et al., 2021, p.1945747). The research aims to explore the influence of several independent variables on positive childhood experiences (PCEs) (dependent variable) using the benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) scale.
Variables and Methods
The independent variables include childhood trauma, life trauma, PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and prosocial behaviors. The introduction of the article describes the findings of previous studies that have examined the impact of early life experiences on human development. The introduction highlights the methodologies employed, which provided a basis for the continuation of the research, as well as some significant findings for future research tasks.
Literature Review
For a large part, prior work has established a higher incidence of mental disorders and physical illnesses connected to childhood trauma. This includes neglect, abuse, and other types of dysfunction (such as violence, conflicts, and addiction). The findings are based on studies conducted by Belsky et al. (2009, as cited in Zhan et al., 2021); Lynch et al. (2018, as cited in Zhan et al., 2021); Narayan et al. (2014, as cited in Zhan et al., 2021); Narayan et al. (2013, as cited in Zhan et al., 2021); and Saleptsi et al. (2004, as cited in Zhan et al., 2021).
In the introduction, several findings that informed the present study were stated. Attention was drawn to the role of PCE in prosocial orientation in childhood (Catalano & Hawkins, 1996, as cited in Zhan et al., 2021), the protective effects of PCE (Narayan et al., 2019, as cited in Zhan et al., 2021), and the effects of PCE on behavioral characteristics. A study by Van Harmelen et al. (2017) established that supportive peers in childhood lead to resilient psychosocial functioning. The outcome applies to both short-term and long-term effects in teens and early adulthood.
Additional studies have also yielded similar outcomes. In research by Kosterman et al. (2011, as cited in Zhan et al., 2021), early adult productivity and responsibility were anticipated to be higher due to PCEs in late childhood, along with reduced substance use among adolescents. A study by Jeronimus et al. (2013, as cited in Zhan et al., 2021) found that positive life experiences from the distant past exhibited a negligible yet long-lasting protective effect on neuroticism. Another study, carried out by Southwick & Charney (2012, as cited in Zhan et al., 2021), established that family support and proper care may serve as protective factors to mitigate the damaging effects of adversity that people may encounter.
Finally, Kosterman et al. (2011, as cited in Zhan et al., 2021) also established that when adolescents engage in substance use, PCEs cause a notable increase in prosocial behaviors in early adulthood. The studies support the benefit of PCEs in yielding positive results in childhood and later life. Research also contributes to understanding child developmental psychopathology by emphasizing mechanisms rather than just the symptomatology of conditions.
Data Collection and Ethics
The research utilized data from a continuous project investigating the intergenerational diffusion of psychopathology. The participants for the study were students drawn from “two schools in east China’s Jiangxi Province and three schools in central China’s Hunan Province” (Zhan et al., 2021, p.1945747). Their family members or parents accompanied the learners.
Data from adult participants were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that was filled out during parent-teacher conferences from November 5, 2019, to December 24, 2019. The questionnaires were completed in an average time of about 40 minutes. The sample comprised 6,929 participants (2,286 males and 4,643 females).
Research ethics were strictly observed by the researchers, who obtained written informed consent from all participants. Approval for the study was granted by the Moral & Ethics Committee of the School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University (Nanchang, China).
Reference
Zhan, N., Xie, D., Zou, J., Wang, J., & Geng, F. (2021). The validity and reliability of benevolent childhood experiences scale in Chinese community adults. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1). Web.