Peer-reviewed article
Benevolent Childhood Experiences, Child Maltreatment, Adult Well-Being and Resilience
Luísa Rebelo Urbano, Eunice Magalhães, C A Silva ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined how positive childhood experiences (benevolent childhood experiences) may protect children who have experienced maltreatment. Researchers surveyed 390 Portuguese-speaking adults aged 18-29 about their childhood experiences, including any maltreatment, positive experiences, and their current mental health and resilience. The findings show that positive childhood experiences do help improve well-being and resilience in adults, but this protective effect is weaker when maltreatment was severe.
Key points
- Higher levels of child maltreatment and lower levels of benevolent childhood experiences were associated with poorer adult well-being and resilience
- Benevolent childhood experiences moderated the relationship between maltreatment and well-being, meaning positive experiences provided some protection
- Individuals with higher benevolent childhood experiences showed greater well-being and resilience overall
- The protective effect of positive experiences was diminished as exposure to maltreatment increased
- The study highlights the importance of monitoring early experiences for prevention and tailoring clinical interventions based on level of maltreatment
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional survey study of adults recalling their childhood experiences, so it cannot establish causation and relies on retrospective memory which may be subject to bias. The study does not identify which specific types of positive experiences are most protective or provide information about the timing and intensity of experiences needed for protection.
Abstract
Several studies have established a link between child maltreatment and mental health problems in adulthood, as well as between benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) and positive outcomes. However, less is known about how BCEs may lead to better adult mental health when maltreatment was also present. This study aimed to explore the moderating role of BCEs in the relationship between child maltreatment and psychological well-being and resilience. The study sample comprised 390 Portuguese-speaking emerging adults (aged 18–29 years; M = 22.81; SD = 2.92). Information regarding sociodemographic variables, child maltreatment, BCEs, psychological well-being and trait resilience was obtained via an online survey. Using multiple regression analysis, it was found that higher levels of child maltreatment and lower levels of BCEs were associated with poorer well-being and resilience. BCEs moderated the relationship between child maltreatment and well-being and resilience such that individuals with higher levels of BCEs reported greater well-being and resilience but also exhibited greater reductions in these indicators as their exposure to maltreatment increased. These results highlight the importance of the interplay between positive and negative childhood experiences for future well-being and resilience. They also draw attention to the need for monitoring early experiences to enable preventive strategies, as well as the importance of adjusting clinical interventions in accordance with the level of maltreatment experienced.