Work

Associations among positive childhood experiences, resilience, and psychological distress in health professions students

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective To assess the mediating role of psychological resilience in the negative association between positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and psychological distress in health professions students (HPS).Methods The authors obtained cross-sectional data, including demographic information, the Brief Resilience Scale, and Medical Student Well-Being Index, from a longitudinal survey with circannual waves of data collection in medical, advanced practice provider, (i.e., nursing and physician assistant), and veterinary students at a single institution. The confidential, web-based survey included seven questions about PCEs. The authors conducted a mediation analysis of wave 3 of the data (N = 181) using structural equation modeling, which adjusted for age, gender, underrepresented in medicine (URM) status, and first-generation status. Bootstrap confidence intervals modeled and tested the total and indirect pathways.Results The path model demonstrated an excellent fit with the data (CFI/TLI = 1.00; RMSEA < .001; SRMR < .001). As hypothesized, PCEs were positively associated with resilience (b = 0.020; p = .049), and resilience was negatively associated with psychological distress (b = −0.815; p = .003). Although PCEs were negatively associated with psychological distress (b = −0.061; p = .003), the indirect path between PCEs and psychological distress through resilience was not significant (b = −0.016; p = .114).Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine PCES and resilience in HPS. PCEs and resilience may represent independent predictors of mental well-being in HPS. Our findings underscore the significance of identifying students with fewer PCEs and adopting interventions that support the psychological well-being of HPS, especially those who might be at a higher risk of distress.

Source: Medical Education Online

DOI: 10.1080/10872981.2026.2694936