Our Research

Learning what makes a long-term, positive impact for families living abroad
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NEW research coming soon!

The newest TCK research, Protective Factors That Improve Long Term Wellness in TCKs, will be released be on September 16, 2025! 

What We've Learned

at a glance
We prioritize research because "when we know better we can do better" (Tanya Crossman). 

Our first research survey in 2021 involving over 1,900 ATCKs found elevated levels of trauma in TCK communities compared to monoculturals, and therefore a need for increased care.

We're currently digging into the responses from our 2024 survey on adulthood thriving and the First Look at those results are available here!

2021 Survey  |  "Caution & Hope" White Paper Published June 2022  |  Learn more here


2021 Survey | "TCKs at Risk" White Paper Published December 2022 | Learn more here
2021 Survey | "Sources of Trauma" White Paper Published October 2023 | Learn more here
our why
Research underpins everything we do at TCK Training. We build on existing research across disciplines in order to support holistic health of Third Culture Kids. From this foundation, our research bridges the gap to support a global understanding of TCKs.
The tck training team

Quick Terms & Definitions

What is a White Paper?

A white paper is a deeply researched report on a specific topic that presents a solution to a problem within an industry.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

ACEs are widely researched potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). These experiences can vary from physical and emotional abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, and household dysfunction and challenges. Research on these events continue to prove that an increased number of ACEs are linked to negative health outcomes over the course of the lifespan.

Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)

PCEs are experiences during childhood (0-17 years) that promote safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments. Research shows that the presence of PCEs have the ability to counteract the harmful long-term effects caused by ACEs.

Our Research & Methodology

First Look Data from the 2024 Survey is now available!

Build on Established Research

including studies on wellbeing, mental health, prevention science, resilience, global mobility, TCK experiences,

Contextualize data for global TCKs

Research how the findings of other research applies to TCKs, asking both "are these factors present?" and "do they have the same impact?"

Freely share our findings with the community

In the form of workshops, white papers, articles, blog posts, podcasts, and more, we do research to share research!
Methodology
  • Our survey respondents are self-selecting (non-random).
  • Our surveys are scrutinized by industry professionals.

Research-Based Resources

While all of our resources are research-informed, these resources specifically dive into our research and explain how these insights can be applied to serve the TCK community.
You can purchase Research-Based TCK Care 101 & 201 separately or together as a bundle for a discount!

Research-Based Blog Posts

We have also published a series of blog posts focused on the different sub-groups identified and discussed in our white papers. Find all of these posts through the links below. You may also like to read our article on Seven Reasons for Hope: A Foundation for TCK Care, which outlines why we  believe a TCK upbringing can wonderful, even at the same time that we advise preventive care.

by Sending Affiliation

by Educational Experience

Featured on...

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Our research on TCKs and Adverse Childhood Experiences has also been featured in a number of external publications. We have arranged these features into four categories below: resources for adult TCKs, parents & caregivers, resources for educators, and resources for/about missionary kids. There is some overlap between categories, but hopefully this will help you quickly find helpful information discussing and applying our research. 
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Adult TCKs



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Parents & Caregivers

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Educators


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Missionary Kids