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A scoping review of Adverse, Benevolent, and Positive Childhood Experiences in military-connected children

Celia Mason1, Faye Acton2, Claire Camara1

  • 1School of Nursing and Healthcare Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.

PLOS Mental Health
|July 22, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Military children face unique stressors leading to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Research on Benevolent and Positive Childhood Experiences (BCEs/PCEs) is needed to understand protective factors for these youth.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Military Family Studies
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Military-connected children and young people (MCCYP) experience unique stressors like frequent relocations and parental deployments.
  • These stressors can increase the risk of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
  • Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) may act as protective factors, yet research among MCCYP is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a scoping review mapping the existing literature on ACEs, BCEs, and PCEs among MCCYP.
  • To identify research gaps concerning protective childhood experiences in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive scoping review was performed across seven academic databases.
  • Search terms focused on ACEs, BCEs, PCEs, and military-connected children and young people.
  • The Critical Skills Appraisal Program (CASP) tool was used for quality appraisal of selected studies.

Main Results:

  • Six papers met the inclusion criteria, predominantly from the USA (5) and UK (1).
  • All included studies focused on ACEs, with only one paper also examining PCEs.
  • No studies were found that specifically investigated BCEs in military-connected children.

Conclusions:

  • A significant gap exists in the literature regarding BCEs and PCEs among MCCYP.
  • Further research is crucial to understand and promote protective childhood experiences for military-connected youth.
  • This evidence gap hinders the development of targeted interventions to support the well-being of MCCYP.

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