Exploring the Evidence Base on the Association Between Parents’ Adverse and Positive Experiences and the Developmental, Psychological and Behavioral Outcomes of Their Offspring: A Scoping Review

Research has demonstrated the intergenerational effects of parents’ adverse and positive experiences. Despite growth in the literature, previous reviews have primarily focused on the intergenerational effects of parents’ childhood experiences. This scoping review aimed to characterize the intergenerational research on the associations between parental adverse and positive experiences across the life course (including childhood and adulthood) and the developmental, psychological and behavioral outcomes of their offspring. Following a search of ten databases, seven articles met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were cross-sectional (n = 4) and published in the United States (n = 6). Female caregivers dominated the data set (84.6%), with the large majority having a sample size above n = 1000. All studies reported a significant association between parent adversity and negative offspring outcomes; however, mixed findings were found for the protective properties of parents’ positive experiences. Findings indicate a need for further exploration, underscoring the importance of adequately powered studies inclusive and diverse in nature.