The Cascading Effects of Childhood on Patterns of Offending Across the Life Course: Investigating the Differential Effects of Threats and Deprivations

• In Event: Causes and Consequences of Crime and Victimization: Mechanisms and Moderators

Abstract

Prior research has documented the short- and longer-term deleterious effects of childhood adversity on various developmental and behavioral domains, including involvement in health-risk behavior, stymied educational attainment, and compromised physical and mental health. Recent research has even suggested that adverse childhood experiences are relevant to criminal justice contact, although the mechanisms and relationship with actual offending are unknown. This research uses prospective, longitudinal data from a cohort of youth who participated in the Rochester Youth Development Study to explore the relationship between childhood adversity, including ACEs, and patterns of offending and criminal justice contact through the late 40s. In doing so, this study draws upon the breadth of research documenting short-term consequences of ACEs to identify the various mechanisms that promote an ongoing negative developmental cascade The results have implications for policy through the identification of targets for intervention in late adolescence and early adulthood.

Authors

• Megan Augustyn, Florida State University

• Emily Hargrove, Florida State University