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Beyond the deleterious impact of child abuse and neglect, a substantial body of research has demonstrated that an array of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor outcomes later in life across many domains. Consistent with a cumulative strain model, greater exposure to ACEs increases the risks of mortality, many forms of morbidity, mental health difficulties, and behavioral problems. Of particular concern is that early traumatic experiences have been linked to criminal behaviors. This study examines the association between ACEs and future rearrests among a sample of justice-involved youth, considering possible variations by ethnicity and gender.
Methods
Data come from the Northwest Juvenile Project, a longitudinal study of 1,829 youth detained in Cook County, Illinois examining long-term outcomes. The sample was comprised of youth ranging in age from 10 to 18 years old (M=14.85; SD=1.40) who were 36% female, 64% male, 55% Black, 29% Hispanic/Latinx, and 16% White. The current study used two time-points to assess the extent to which ACEs reported at baseline predicted the likelihood of being arrested by the following wave.
A composite ACE score was created based on youth’s exposure to 7 of the 10 typical adversities, including child maltreatment and parental incarceration. Logistic regression models examined the relationship between ACEs and delinquency, conceptualized as arrest since baseline survey completion, controlling for gender and race. Interaction effects were also examined to assess whether or not race and gender moderated this relationship.
Results
Total ACE scores ranged from 0 to 7 with an average score of 3.66 (SD=1.54). The model (X2=59.56, df=3, p<.001; Nagelkerke R2=.025) indicated that ACE total score at baseline (OR=1.08; 95% [CI]=1.01-1.15) predicted rearrest at follow-up. Specifically, each additional ACE experienced by adolescents increased their chances of arrest by 8% 3 years later. Controlling for the level of ACEs, Black youth and male adolescents were more likely to experience arrest than White, Hispanic, or female adolescents. Specifically, White youth and Hispanic youth had 28% and 12%, respectively, less odds of being rearrested compared to Black youth. Female youth, compared to male youth had 53% less odds of being rearrested by follow-up. No interaction effects were observed between ACE score and demographic characteristics.
Conclusion
Consistent with the literature, youth who endured higher cumulative risks in the current sample experienced significantly higher likelihood of future rearrests. This relationship was consistent across all adolescents. Nevertheless, the disproportionate justice-contact among Black youth as well as male youth was found even after accounting for ACEs. Recognizing ACEs and responding with trauma-informed services among justice-involved youth is crucial in rehabilitative and desistance efforts. Further, interventions are needed to address the myriad of individual and systemic issues that influence disproportionate representation of youth in justice systems. Similar to assessing cumulative risk, an assessment of cumulative strengths may be required to better understand what factors reduce chronic delinquency and improve child well-being.