Faith Amidst Adversity: Childhood Trauma, Religiosity, and Delinquency

• In Event: Testing and Extending General Strain Theory

Abstract

There is a well-established relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and offending among adolescents. These patterns correspond closely with Agnew’s general strain theory, which expects that strainful experiences will engender negative emotional states and eventuate in crime and delinquency. Additionally, while extensive theory and research indicate that religiosity is inversely associated with offending, it is unclear what the role of this factor might be in the relationship between ACEs and delinquency. Theoretically, it is plausible that ACEs might reduce religiosity which, in turn, increases delinquent involvement. Alternatively, attendance at religious services might serve as a form of social support that buffers the harmful consequences of ACEs. This study will examine: (1) the independent effects of ACEs and religious attendance on delinquency, (2) the indirect effects of religiosity in the ACEs-delinquency relationship, and (3) the moderating effect of religious attendance on the association between ACEs and delinquency. This study uses data from the 2024 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS), which was administered to a statewide sample of students in Florida public middle schools and high schools. The findings reveal a robust relationship between ACEs and offending; however, religious attendance does not exert an independent, indirect, or moderating effect.

Authors

• Jordan Elizabeth Medrano, Sam Houston State University

• Peter Lehmann, Sam Houston State University