Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Negative Life Events and the Mental Health of Children in Distress

This study applies the two-factor model of mental health and employs a random-effects model to perform a meta-analysis of 119 effect sizes from 77 studies, with the objective of clarifying the relationship between negative life events and the mental health of children in challenging circumstances. The results indicate a significant positive correlation between negative life events and adverse mental health indicators, highlighting robust and consistent associations. In contrast, negative life events are significantly negatively correlated with positive mental health indicators, though these correlations are weaker and more variable. Importantly, the relationship between negative life events and the mental health of distressed children is consistent across various age groups and subgroups. These findings provide critical insights for the development of intervention strategies designed to enhance the mental health of children experiencing adversity.

本研究采用心理健康双因素模型，运用随机效应模型对77项研究中的119个效应量开展元分析，旨在厘清负性生活事件与困境处境儿童心理健康之间的关联。研究结果显示，负性生活事件与不良心理健康指标间存在显著正相关，表明二者关联具有稳健性与一致性。与之相对，负性生活事件与积极心理健康指标间呈显著负相关，不过此类关联强度较弱且异质性更强。值得注意的是，负性生活事件与困境儿童心理健康之间的关联在不同年龄群体及亚组中均保持一致。本研究结果为制定旨在改善逆境儿童心理健康状况的干预策略提供了关键参考依据。