Examining the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Criminal Behavior in Young Adulthood: The Mediating Role of Impulsivity

Background and Purpose: While existing research has found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with criminal behavior in adulthood, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Studies suggest that ACEs can contribute to impulsivity, and according to Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime, impulsivity, as a psychological component of self-control, is closely associated with various types of criminal behavior, which has been supported by numerous empirical studies. Given the significant role of impulsivity in criminal behavior, the present study aims to examine the relationship between ACEs and criminal behavior in young adulthood and explore the potential mediating effect of impulsivity in this association.

Methods: Analyses were based on longitudinal data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), a large, nationally representative cohort study. The sample consisted of 4,898 children born between 1998 and 2000 in twenty large U.S. cities, with an oversample of non-marital births. Adverse childhood experiences were assessed using mothers’ responses to the Conflict Tactics Scale: Parent-Child Version, administered at Year 9. Criminal behavior was measured at Year 22 with a binary variable (yes/no) based on responses to the question: “Since you turned 18, have you spent a night or more in jail?” Impulsivity was measured at Year 15 using a 6-item abbreviated version of Dickman’s (1990) Impulsivity Scale. Covariates included gender, race/ethnicity, maternal education level, and household income. All statistical analyses were conducted using STATA 18.0.

Results: A logistic regression was preformed to predict criminal behavior by ACEs controlling for covariates. The regression model was statistically significant (Х² (2, N = 2294) = 55.13, p <0.001). Results showed that for each one-unit increase in ACEs, the odds of having criminal behaviors increased by 29.5% (OR = 1.29, 95% CI [1.15, 1.46], p < .001). A mediation analysis was conducted to examine whether impulsivity mediates the relationship between ACEs and criminal behavior. Results showed that the indirect effect was significant (b = 0.01, SE = 0.001, z = 3.10, p = .003) (Sobel Test), indicating a significant mediation effect. The direct effect of ACEs on criminal behavior remained significant (b = 0.021, SE = 0.005, z = 3.913, p = 0.000), suggesting partial mediation. The total effect was also significant (b = 0.023, SE = 0.005, z = 4.348, p = 0.000). Approximately 9.6% of the total effect was mediated, and the ratio of indirect to direct effect was 0.106.

Conclusions and Implications: This study found a significant association between adverse childhood experiences and criminal behavior in young adulthood, with impulsivity partially mediating this relationship. Future research should further explore protective factors that may mitigate this association. Based on these findings, adolescent crime prevention programs should prioritize the early identification of youth with high levels of ACEs and implement targeted interventions aimed at reducing impulsive behaviors.