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Childhood Bereavement, Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences, and Flourishing among Chinese Young Adults

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  • Krista P. Woodward

    (Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Zhiyuan Yu

    (Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Wenyi Chen

    (Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Tingting Chen

    (Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China)

  • Dylan B. Jackson

    (Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Terrinieka W. Powell

    (Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Lin Wang

    (School of Nursing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China)

Abstract

Childhood bereavement (CB) resulting from a parent or primary caregiver death is associated with a range of adverse outcomes. Little is known about the association between CB and adult flourishing in the context of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs). In a cross-sectional observational study, we examined how ACEs, PCEs, and adult flourishing differs by self-reported CB history among 9468 Chinese young adults (18–35 years), of which 4.3% experienced CB ( n = 409). Data collection included convenience sampling among university students in Mainland China. Respondents voluntarily completed an online survey between August and November 2020. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regressions examined frequencies and differences in ACEs, PCEs, and flourishing by the history of CB controlling for a few demographic covariates. Bereaved individuals reported significantly higher ACEs and lower PCEs. The odds of experiencing emotional, physical, and sexual abuse as well as household substance abuse, parental mental illness, and parental incarceration ranged from 2.0–5.2 times higher for bereaved individuals. Bereaved participants also reported significant negative relationships with Flourishing Index (β = −0.35, t = −4.19, p < 0.001) and Secure Flourishing Index (β = −0.40, t = −4.96, p < 0.001). Consistent with previous research, our findings demonstrate the lasting effects of CB on well-being. We discuss study implications for ACEs and PCEs screening and surveillance as well as grief counseling to promote flourishing among bereaved youth in China and beyond.

Suggested Citation

  • Krista P. Woodward & Zhiyuan Yu & Wenyi Chen & Tingting Chen & Dylan B. Jackson & Terrinieka W. Powell & Lin Wang, 2023. "Childhood Bereavement, Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences, and Flourishing among Chinese Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4631-:d:1088730
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Renzhihui Tang & Tong Xie & Keyuan Jiao & Xin Xu & Xinyan Zou & Wenli Qian & Jianping Wang, 2021. "Grief Reactions and Grief Counseling among Bereaved Chinese Individuals during COVID-19 Pandemic: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Combined with a Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-12, August.
    2. Li, Lydia & Liang, Jersey & Toler, Amanda & Gu, Shengzu, 2005. "Widowhood and depressive symptoms among older Chinese: Do gender and source of support make a difference?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(3), pages 637-647, February.
    3. Zhiyuan Yu & Lin Wang & Wenyi Chen & Juan Zhang & Amie F. Bettencourt, 2022. "Positive Childhood Experiences Associate with Adult Flourishing Amidst Adversity: A Cross Sectional Survey Study with a National Sample of Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Lina Martinez & Lina Sofia Valenzuela & Victoria Eugenia Soto, 2022. "Well-Being amongst College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from a Developing Country," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Rong Fu, 2019. "Early Parental Death and Cognitive Impairment in Late Life: A Cohort Study," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(3), pages 21582440198, September.
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