Bibliometric Analysis of Studies on the Relationship Between Positive Childhood Experiences and Mental Health Outcomes

Abstract

Objective: Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) emerged as a new field following the introduction of the concept in 2018 and have demonstrated rapid growth in research publications. The purpose of this study is to systematically map the emerging research landscape of PCEs through early 2025, identify key research trends, and provide a comprehensive overview of the field's development to guide future research directions. Method: Using Web of Science (WoS) as the data source, 208 studies were retrieved. Publication and citation trends, research areas and disciplines, main research clusters, the most influential researchers, and collaboration networks were analyzed and visualized using WoS analytics and VOSviewer. Results: Findings revealed sudden growth beginning in 2020, with 87% of all publications appearing since then. The field spans multiple disciplines, primarily psychiatry (21.64%), family studies (19.71%), and social work (19.71%). Seven distinct research clusters emerged from keywords: Trauma and Adversity Measurement, Risk Factors and Exposure, Positive Developmental Outcomes, Contextual and Epidemiological Factors, Psychological Functioning, Protective Mechanisms and Development, and Interventions and Support Systems. Temporal analysis identified three developmental phases: early phase (pre-2020), intermediate phase (2020-2022), and recent phase (2022-present). International collaboration network analysis positioned the United States as the central research hub, with distinct collaboration patterns across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Conclusion: This study revealed the developmental trajectory of PCEs research, highlighting the importance of integrated approaches in the field and demonstrating a significant research gap in prevention and intervention studies.

Keywords

• adverse childhood experiences
• mapping
• mental health
• positive childhood experiences

Olumlu Çocukluk Yaşantılarının Ruh Sağlığı ile Olan Etkileşimi Üzerine Yapılan Araştırmaların Bibliyometrik Analizi

Öz

Amaç: Olumlu Çocukluk Yaşantıları (OÇY) kavramı, 2018 yılında tanıtılmasının ardından yeni bir alan olarak ortaya çıkmış ve araştırma yayınlarında hızlı bir büyüme göstermiştir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, 2025 yılının başlarına kadar OÇY'nin gelişmekte olan araştırma alanını sistematik olarak haritalamak, temel araştırma eğilimlerini belirlemek ve gelecekteki araştırma yönelimlerini şekillendirmek için alanın gelişimine kapsamlı bir bakış sağlamaktır. Yöntem: Web of Science (WoS) veri kaynağı kullanılarak 208 araştırma elde edilmiştir. Yayın ve atıf eğilimleri, araştırma alanları ve disiplinleri, temel araştırma kümeleri, en etkili araştırmacılar ve işbirliği ağları WoS'un analitik araçları ve VOSviewer kullanılarak analiz edilmiş ve görselleştirilmiştir. Bulgular: Sonuçlar, 2020'den itibaren ani bir artış olduğunu ve tüm yayınların %87'sinin o zamandan beri yayımlandığını ortaya koymuştur. Bu araştırma alanı başta psikiyatri (%21,64), aile çalışmaları (%19,71) ve sosyal hizmet (%19,71) olmak üzere birçok disiplini kapsamaktadır. Anahtar kelimelerden yedi farklı araştırma kümesi ortaya çıkmıştır: Travma ve Zorluk Ölçümü, Risk Faktörleri ve Maruz Kalma, Olumlu Gelişimsel Sonuçlar, Bağlamsal ve Epidemiyolojik Faktörler, Psikolojik İşlevsellik, Koruyucu Mekanizmalar ve Gelişim, ve Müdahaleler ve Destek Sistemleri. Zamansal analiz üç gelişim evresini belirlemiştir: erken evre (2020 öncesi), orta evre (2020-2022) ve güncel evre (2022-günümüz). Uluslararası işbirliği ağı analizi, Kuzey Amerika, Avrupa ve Asya-Pasifik'teki farklı işbirliği modelleriyle birlikte Amerika Birleşik Devletleri'ni merkezi araştırma merkezi olarak konumlandırmıştır. Sonuç: Bu çalışma OÇY araştırmalarının gelişim sürecini ortaya koyarak alandaki bütüncül yaklaşımların önemini vurgulamış ve önleme ile müdahale çalışmalarında önemli bir araştırma boşluğu olduğunu göstermiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• olumlu çocukluk yaşantıları
• olumsuz çocukluk deneyimleri
• haritalama
• ruh sağlığı

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