Turbulent changes in early life are a hidden source of childhood trauma, increasing potential risks for mental illness. Many studies have identified the link between childhood uncertainty and mental health. However, research on the long-term effect of early-life uncertainty (EU) on mental health has not been systematically synthesized. This meta-analysis aims to provide a quantitative estimate of the association between EU and subsequent mental health outcomes. Eight electronic databases and gray literature were searched. Twenty-eight studies met our inclusion criteria: samples of non-clinical adolescents or adults and clear and valid assessments. Random-effect models were used to calculate the pooled effect sizes of EU on internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and well-being. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore potential moderators. Results indicated small to moderate associations involving EU and internalizing problem ( r = .28; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.228, 0.326]) and externalizing problem ( r = .16; 95% CI [0.102, 0.220]). EU was not significantly associated with well-being ( r = −.41; 95% CI [−0.738, 0.071]). Furthermore, moderator analyses found that composite uncertain experiences in childhood had a stronger negative effect than single experiences. EU was a stronger predictor of mental health problems in adults than in adolescents. Cross-sectional studies would amplify the correlation between EU and mental illness compared to longitudinal studies. In the future, childhood uncertain and unpredictable risks should receive more attention. More research needs to focus on positive psychological indicators and samples from non-Western countries.

中文翻译：

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早期生活的不确定性对青春期和成年期心理健康的长期影响：荟萃分析


早年生活的动荡变化是童年创伤的隐藏根源，增加了患精神疾病的潜在风险。许多研究已经确定了童年不确定性与心理健康之间的联系。然而，关于生命早期不确定性（EU）对心理健康的长期影响的研究尚未得到系统综合。这项荟萃分析旨在对欧盟与随后的心理健康结果之间的关联进行定量估计。检索了八个电子数据库和灰色文献。 28 项研究符合我们的纳入标准：非临床青少年或成人样本以及清晰有效的评估。使用随机效应模型来计算欧盟对内部化问题、外部化问题和福祉的汇总效应大小。使用荟萃回归和亚组分析来探索潜在的调节因素。结果表明，EU 与内化问题 ( r = .28；95% 置信区间 [CI] [0.228，0.326]) 和外化问题 ( r = .16；95% CI [0.102，0.220]) 存在小到中度关联。 EU 与幸福感没有显着相关性（r = −.41；95% CI [−0.738, 0.071]）。此外，调节分析发现，童年时期的复合不确定经历比单一经历具有更强的负面影响。与青少年相比，欧盟对成年人心理健康问题的预测能力更强。与纵向研究相比，横断面研究将放大欧盟与精神疾病之间的相关性。未来，儿童期不确定和不可预测的风险应该受到更多关注。更多的研究需要关注积极的心理指标和非西方国家的样本。