What can prevent or reverse negative outcomes after early adverse experiences?

ICON members Lisa Bornscheuer, Karl Gauffin, and Ylva B Almquist have recently published a scoping review in BMJ Open on mediators and moderators of childhood adversity.

About the study

This review investigated resilience factors that help prevent or reverse the negative effects of childhood adversity on adulthood outcomes, such as mental health and educational attainment. The study aimed to identify research gaps by examining current evidence on resilience resources and pathways that mediate or moderate long-term outcomes after childhood adversity. Additionally, it focused on gender differences, an area often overlooked in resilience research.

A total of 102 studies were included in the review.

Highlights

Most studies were published in the field of psychology, with a focus on individual-level resilience factors.

Gender was examined in only about 22% of the studies, typically comparing men and women.

There were typically no gender differences in the long-term effects of childhood adversity, but some differences appeared in resilience factors based on gender.

Publication details

Bornscheuer, L., Gauffin, K., & Almquist, Y. B. (2024). Mapping resilience: a scoping review on mediators and moderators of childhood adversity with a focus on gender patterns. BMJ Open, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080259

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080259

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