Adverse Childhood Experiences, Commitment, Resilience, Depression, and Bullying: A Test of General Strain Theory

• In Event: Victimization Consequences Among Different Populations

Abstract

Drawing on Agnew’s (1992) general strain theory, the current study examines the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and bullying victimization on indicators of depression, substance use, and bullying perpetration. A sample of adolescent youth between the ages 12 and 17 from the National Survey of Children’s Health (2019) was used to test various hypotheses driving the study. A number of path analyses were estimated to examine the effects of strain on negative emotions and deviance, and the models were disaggregated by gender to account for potential gendered outcomes. Results from the analyses largely support the notion that ACEs and bullying victimization are significantly associated with deviant outcomes. Likewise, increased school commitment and family resilience appears to reduce the effects of strain on delinquency. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.

Authors

• John Wirt, Tarleton State University

• Christina Camberos, Tarleton State University

• Roger Ryan Rider, Tarleton State University

• Steven Glassner, Tarleton State University