Childhood Experiences and Adult Mental Health Outcomes: How Positive Childhood Experiences Can Mitigate the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are known to support healthy development. However, their protective role in the presence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) remains unclear, particularly when accounting for the complex nature of ACEs. Research on this relationship outside the United States is especially limited, restricting the generalizability of findings across cultural contexts. This study examined whether PCEs moderate the relationship between distinct ACE subtypes and mental health outcomes, specifically life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety, among South Korean college students. A sample of 408 South Korean college students participated in the study. Latent class analysis was employed to identify distinct ACE profiles, followed by moderation analysis to examine the buffering effects of PCEs on the relationship between ACE class membership and mental health outcomes. Four distinct ACE profiles were identified: Emotional Neglect, High ACEs, Psychological Maltreatment and Home Violence, and Low ACEs. PCEs were consistently linked to better mental health after controlling for ACEs types. However, the protective effects of PCEs differed by ACE profile and were weaker among individuals with more severe or frequent exposure to adversity. While PCEs contribute directly to improved mental health outcomes, their buffering effects in the context of severe ACE exposure appear limited. These findings highlight the dual importance of fostering PCEs and preventing ACEs through timely and targeted interventions.