Adverse Childhood Experiences and Juvenile Recidivism: The Role of Neighborhood Context

• In Event: Between Communities and Juvenile Court: Understanding and Preventing Serious Juvenile Offending

Abstract

Objective: While the impact of trauma on delinquency and offending has been studied in great depth, less is known about the cumulative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how these experiences impact reoffending outcomes of youth who already have justice system involvement. Researchers also recognize that the effect of ACEs on outcomes does not necessarily occur in isolation, but is influenced by several factors. However, research has yet to examine how this relationship can be shaped and/or conditioned by broader ecological factors, including neighborhood and community influences. To fill these gaps in the literature, this paper focuses on the intersection of ACEs and neighborhood context.
Data/Methods: The study draws from a population-based sample of juvenile offenders who completed Florida Department of Juvenile Justice community-based placements. A series of multi-level logistic regression models test whether ACEs and neighborhood disadvantage, racial/ethnic heterogeneity, and residential instability interact to influence youth reoffending outcomes.
Results: Results show significant effects of ACEs on youth reoffending and highlight the importance of incorporating both individual and contextual factors in the study of youth recidivism.
Conclusions/Implications: Implications for youth crime prevention policy and future research are explored.

Authors

• Alexis Yohros, Northeastern University

• Brandon C. Welsh, Northeastern University / Harvard Medical School