Examining the Effects of Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences: A Latent Class Approach

• In Event: Developmental Trajectories: Insights From Longitudinal Data

Abstract

Research shows that childhood experiences impact future outcomes. Using a three-step mixed latent class analysis (LCA), this study investigates how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) co-occur and how co-occurrences impact future outcomes. Participants were 1143 undergraduates (ages 17-50). ACEs and PCEs data were used as model indicators; ethnicity, gender, and age were included as covariates; and positive psychological assets, perceived stress, and stress mindset were distal outcomes. The LCA resulted in four classes differing in their ACEs/PCEs exposure. Classes with high ACEs exposure saw positive outcomes when PCEs exposure was also high. This has important implications for educators who can provide children with the positive experiences that may mitigate the negative impact of adversity.

Authors

• Madeline Rose Olwert, University of California - Davis

• Shelley R. Hart, California State University - Chico