Prevalence and predictors of positive childhood experiences and their relationship with adverse childhood experiences among young adults in Delhi-NCR, India

Background: Although positive childhood experiences (PCEs) have been reported to be crucial for healthy development and better mental and physical health outcomes, their epidemiology and relationship with adverse childhood experiences (ACE) exposure in low and middle-income countries, including India remain underexplored. Aims: The present study aimed to ascertain the prevalence and predictors of PCE exposure and understand the relationship between PCE and ACE exposure among young adults in Delhi-NCR, India. Methods: The present cross-sectional study involved a total of 1,573 young adults (18–25 years) of both sexes (69.7% females) recruited from two Universities in Delhi-NCR, India. PCEs and ACEs were measured using the Benevolent Childhood Experiences scale and ACE-International Questionnaire. Results: Of the total participants, 42.6% reported experiencing all 10 PCEs, while 50.2% had experienced 6 to 9, and 7.2% had experienced 0 to 5 PCEs. Further, the mean PCE score of the sample was 8.64. Certain sociodemographic groups, for instance, participants from immigrant families, sexual minority groups and those who were obese during childhood than their respective counterparts were at lower odds of high PCE exposure. Also, the study found a significant inverse correlation between ACE and PCE exposure levels; however, the effect size was moderate. Conclusions: The study indicates the need for targeted PCE promotion interventions for disadvantaged sociodemographic groups. The intervention should simultaneously aim at reducing ACEs, as PCE promotion alone may not always lead to ACE reduction.