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（two-factor model of mental health），并运用随机效应模型（random-effects model）对来自77项研究的119个效应量（effect sizes）进行元分析（meta-analysis），旨在阐明负面生活事件与困境儿童心理健康之间的关系。结果显示，负面生活事件与不良心理健康指标之间存在显著正相关，凸显出稳健且一致的关联；相比之下，负面生活事件与积极心理健康指标呈显著负相关，但这类关联强度较弱且更具变异性。值得注意的是，负面生活事件与困境儿童心理健康的关系在不同年龄组和亚组中保持一致。这些发现为制定旨在提升逆境儿童心理健康的干预策略提供了关键洞见。