Volume 34, Issue 6 (9-2026)
JSSU 2026, 34(6): 10304-10322 |
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Tavoosi F, Hosseinkhanzadeh A A. Role of Risk and Protective Factors in the Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Outcomes: A Systematic Review. JSSU 2026; 34 (6) :10304-10322
URL: http://jssu.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-6636-en.html
URL: http://jssu.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-6636-en.html
Abstract: (28 Views)
Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been correlated with a wide range of psychological outcomes across the lifespan. Even though research has grown in Iran recently, the available data remains piecemeal and restricted. This systematic review aimed to show and synthesize risk and protective factors associated with the relationship between ACEs and psychological outcomes in Iranian populations.
Methods: This study functioned as a systematic review, in which articles were retrieved using keywords including "Adverse Childhood Experiences", "Psychological Outcomes", "Risk Factors", and "Protective Factors" across national scientific databases (SID, Magiran, Civilica, and Noormags) as well as international databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) covering the period from 2011 through July 2025. Inclusion criteria involved studies conducted on Iranian samples, investigating at least one type of childhood adversity and psychological outcomes along with associated risk or protective factors. Following a quality assessment and the application of the PRISMA flow diagram, 31 eligible articles were selected and evaluated in detail.
Results: Among the 31 included studies, all included studies employed a quantitative methodology, with the majority being cross-sectional in nature. A three-level analysis showed that, at the individual level, insecure attachment and emotion regulation difficulties functioned as risk factors, while resilience and mindfulness were protective. Regarding the family dynamic, child abuse and marital conflicts were identified as risk factors, while parental support was protective. At the social level, although evidence was limited, interpersonal violence and bullying appeared as risk factors, while social support and favorable economic conditions functioned as protective factors.
Conclusion: The findings show that ACEs in Iran are associated with diverse psychological outcomes, with individual, family, and social factors jointly shaping their impact. The significant role of family was particularly emphasized in the Iranian cultural context. The predominance of cross-sectional designs and the lack of interventional and qualitative studies highlight the need for longitudinal and multi-level research. Future interventions should simultaneously target individual empowerment, improvement of family relationships, and strengthening of social support systems.
Methods: This study functioned as a systematic review, in which articles were retrieved using keywords including "Adverse Childhood Experiences", "Psychological Outcomes", "Risk Factors", and "Protective Factors" across national scientific databases (SID, Magiran, Civilica, and Noormags) as well as international databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) covering the period from 2011 through July 2025. Inclusion criteria involved studies conducted on Iranian samples, investigating at least one type of childhood adversity and psychological outcomes along with associated risk or protective factors. Following a quality assessment and the application of the PRISMA flow diagram, 31 eligible articles were selected and evaluated in detail.
Results: Among the 31 included studies, all included studies employed a quantitative methodology, with the majority being cross-sectional in nature. A three-level analysis showed that, at the individual level, insecure attachment and emotion regulation difficulties functioned as risk factors, while resilience and mindfulness were protective. Regarding the family dynamic, child abuse and marital conflicts were identified as risk factors, while parental support was protective. At the social level, although evidence was limited, interpersonal violence and bullying appeared as risk factors, while social support and favorable economic conditions functioned as protective factors.
Conclusion: The findings show that ACEs in Iran are associated with diverse psychological outcomes, with individual, family, and social factors jointly shaping their impact. The significant role of family was particularly emphasized in the Iranian cultural context. The predominance of cross-sectional designs and the lack of interventional and qualitative studies highlight the need for longitudinal and multi-level research. Future interventions should simultaneously target individual empowerment, improvement of family relationships, and strengthening of social support systems.
Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences, Iran, Protective factors, psychological outcomes, Risk factors
Type of Study: Review article |
Subject:
Psychology
Received: 2026/02/3 | Accepted: 2026/05/13 | Published: 2026/09/6
Received: 2026/02/3 | Accepted: 2026/05/13 | Published: 2026/09/6
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