In a groundbreaking study spanning the years 2016 through 2023, researchers from The Ohio State University have uncovered a strikingly stable pattern in the prevalence of both adverse and positive childhood experiences reported by parents of adolescents across the United States. Contrary to expectations that societal upheavals such as the COVID-19 pandemic might dramatically alter these experiences, the data reveal that national trends remain largely unchanged. This comprehensive analysis, published in the prestigious journal JAMA Pediatrics, offers unprecedented insight into the familial and societal dynamics shaping childhood social environments, challenging entrenched assumptions about the efficacy of current intervention strategies.
The research team, led by professor Susie Breitenstein of the College of Nursing at Ohio State, applied rigorous data and statistical analysis methods to evaluate reported childhood experiences from a robust sample of more than 125,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17. Drawing from the National Survey of Children’s Health, a nationally representative data source, the investigators meticulously categorized 11 adverse and seven positive childhood experiences. These categories encompassed multifaceted life events ranging from parental divorce and economic hardship to mentorship and community involvement, thereby capturing a comprehensive snapshot of the adolescent social landscape over nearly a decade.
Using sophisticated longitudinal analytical techniques, the study aimed to identify any temporal shifts in the incidence of these experiences, particularly across the critical interval marked by the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020-2021. The analytical framework accounted for potential confounders and demographic variability, ensuring that observed trends were robust and reflective of true population-level changes. Surprisingly, the data disclosed that, aside from a few notable exceptions, the prevalence of specific childhood experiences exhibit remarkable temporal stability. Such findings challenge prevailing narratives positing that recent societal disruptions have fundamentally altered the risk landscape for youth.
Among adverse childhood experiences, economic hardship displayed the most significant relative decline, decreasing by approximately 25% over the course of the study. This downward trend plausibly correlates with post-recession recovery following the 2008 financial crisis and reflects the partial economic stabilization subsequent to initial COVID-19 impacts. Conversely, the incidence of racial discrimination emerged as the adverse experience with the steepest upward trajectory, increasing by about 6% overall. This escalation raises critical questions about the intersectionality of societal stressors, systemic inequities, and youth development within an increasingly polarized socio-political climate.
Notably, parental divorce remained the most prevalent adverse experience throughout the analysis, affecting over 30% of the adolescent population, though its incidence declined slightly by roughly 1% from 2016 to 2023. This persistence underscores the enduring significance of family structure disruptions as a primary source of childhood adversity. However, the research emphasizes that adverse experiences, while impactful, were less commonly reported than positive experiences. Between 40% and 90% of parents reported positive childhood experiences in their adolescents, reflecting a generally supportive and resilient backdrop for the majority of youth.
Positive childhood experiences assessed included mentorship by non-parental adults, family resilience during hardships, active participation in organized or service activities, and perceptions of neighborhood safety and social support. These protective factors are increasingly recognized for their potential to mitigate the deleterious effects of adversity and promote psychological well-being. The data’s revelation that such positive experiences are far more widespread than negative ones provides a hopeful lens through which to view child development trajectories nationwide.
The study also sheds light on the nuanced interplay between adverse and positive experiences, highlighting the complex ecological framework within which childhood development unfolds. Breitenstein and her colleagues advocate for strength-based intervention models that enhance positive familial and community dynamics as a counterbalance to unavoidable adversities such as divorce or economic instability. This perspective aligns with a growing body of resilience research suggesting that bolstering protective environments can significantly offset vulnerability to long-term mental and physical health challenges.
Moreover, the stability of these childhood experience rates at a national level signals a potential shortfall in current policy and intervention efforts aimed at altering youth social environments. Despite numerous localized programs and initiatives designed to reduce adversity and cultivate positive experiences, the lack of substantive shifts in prevalence rates over eight years suggests that these efforts may not be effectively scaling or reaching broadly enough to influence national trends. This calls for a reassessment of strategies, increased resource allocation, and innovative approaches to early intervention.
The dataset serves as a critical baseline for ongoing and future research, providing a methodologically sound foundation against which shifts in childhood experience prevalence can be measured. The Ohio State team’s intention to leverage these findings in support of vulnerable populations, including youth experiencing homelessness and psychiatric treatment, exemplifies the translational potential of this work. Their plans to integrate data-driven insights into supportive programming underscore the increasing importance of empirically guided, community-informed approaches in pediatric mental health and social care fields.
Senior co-author and lead statistician Nathan Helsabeck emphasizes the importance of these findings in guiding evidence-based policymaking. The persistence of adverse childhood experiences, coupled with the ubiquity of positive influences, suggests that multifaceted, intersectional interventions targeting family systems, neighborhoods, and broader societal structures are necessary. Such interventions must be both scalable and adaptable to the heterogeneous needs of diverse populations to effect meaningful change in child developmental outcomes.
Beyond the immediate implications for childhood well-being, these findings resonate in the broader context of public health, education, and social policy. The enduring prevalence of factors such as racial discrimination and family dissolution informs discourses on equity, social justice, and community resilience. They also compel stakeholders to consider how systemic factors contribute to persistent adversity and to evaluate how societal infrastructure can better nurture positive growth environments for all children.
In summary, this comprehensive national analysis paints a complex portrait of the American adolescent experience. It highlights a paradox of enduring adversity amid prevalent positivity, underscoring the criticality of nuanced approaches to intervention and prevention. The research illuminatingly bridges gaps between epidemiological trends, psychosocial resilience, and policy relevance, setting the stage for more targeted, data-driven efforts to foster healthier futures for the nation’s youth.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Prevalence of Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences in Adolescents, 2016-2023
News Publication Date: 20-Oct-2025
Web References:
- National Survey of Children’s Health: https://www.childhealthdata.org/learn-about-the-nsch/NSCH
- CDC Adverse Childhood Experiences Information: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/aces/index.html
- APA Positive Childhood Experiences Resources: https://www.apaf.org/our-programs/justice/free-resources/what-are-pce-s/
References:
Krupa, J., Breitenstein, S., Helsabeck, N., et al. (2025). Prevalence of Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences in Adolescents, 2016-2023. JAMA Pediatrics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.3840
Keywords: Adverse Childhood Experiences, Positive Childhood Experiences, Adolescents, Longitudinal Study, COVID-19 Impact, Family Resilience, Racial Discrimination, Economic Hardship, Mental Health, Public Health, Early Intervention, Pediatric Well-being
