Associations among positive childhood experiences, resilience, and psychological distress in health professions students.
Vo, T., Duong, J., Sandholdt, C., Rice, E., Jandrey, K., Rea, M., Wilkes, M., Sciolla, A.
In plain language
This study explores how positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and resilience influence psychological distress among students in health professions. The researchers found that both PCEs and resilience independently contribute to the mental well-being of these students. While resilience was expected to mediate the relationship between PCEs and psychological distress, the mediation effect was not significant.
The study involved a detailed analysis using data from medical, nursing, and veterinary students, examining how their childhood experiences and resilience levels relate to their current mental health. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing students who may lack positive experiences in childhood and providing them with support to enhance their psychological resilience.
Key findings
- Positive childhood experiences are positively associated with resilience.
- Resilience is negatively associated with psychological distress.
- Positive childhood experiences are negatively associated with psychological distress.
- The indirect path from positive childhood experiences to psychological distress through resilience was not significant.
- Both positive childhood experiences and resilience independently predict mental well-being.
Why it matters for flourishing
This research is important because it identifies factors that can independently contribute to the mental well-being of students in demanding health professions. Understanding these relationships can help in developing strategies to support students' mental health.
Try this today
Readers can focus on fostering resilience and recognizing the impact of positive childhood experiences to support mental well-being. Institutions may consider implementing programs that enhance resilience, especially for students with fewer positive childhood experiences.
How this research touches wellbeing
Which of Seligman's five PERMA pillars this finding speaks to.
- Positive Emotion
- 6
- Engagement
- 5
- Relationships
- 7
- Meaning
- 6
- Accomplishment
- 5