The Effects of ACES, Delinquency, And Child Welfare Interventions On Adult Criminal Behavior: Latent Class Analysis.

• In Event: Effects of Childhood Adversity over the Life Course

Abstract

This study examines the differential impact of childhood pathways, characterized by varying levels of trauma (e.g., physical abuse and neglect), delinquency involvement, and child welfare interventions, on adult criminal behavior. Using existing data from a prospective cohort study and latent class analysis (LCA), four unique latent classes (Safe and Compliant, Neglected and Delinquent, Harmed and Harming, and Harmed and Helped) were identified. The results from the bivariate analyses showed that individuals in the 'Harmed and Harming' and 'Neglected and Delinquent' groups exhibited higher rates of both violent and nonviolent crime in adulthood. In contrast, those in the Harmed and Helped and Safe and Compliant groups had lower rates of adult criminal involvement. By linking specific pathways to adult criminal outcomes, this research contributes to a broader literature on evidence-based strategies for childhood protection strategies.

Authors

• Nana Adwoa Ahenkan Agyapong, State University of New York, SUNY Albany

• Michael D. Reisig, Arizona State University