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Adverse Childhood Experiences, Personality, and Crime: Distinct Associations among a High-Risk Sample of Institutionalized Youth

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  • Steffen Barra

    (Institute for Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Kirrberger Str. 100, 66421 Homburg, Germany)

  • Marcel Aebi

    (Research & Development, Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Justice and Home Affairs, Hohlstrasse 552, 8090 Zurich, Switzerland
    Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Neumuensterallee 3, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Delfine d’Huart

    (Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research Department, Psychiatric University Hospitals, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Klaus Schmeck

    (Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research Department, Psychiatric University Hospitals, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Marc Schmid

    (Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research Department, Psychiatric University Hospitals, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Cyril Boonmann

    (Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research Department, Psychiatric University Hospitals, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
    Department of Forensic Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospitals, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002 Basel, Switzerland)

Abstract

Despite high rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and personality-related disturbances among delinquent juveniles, associations among ACEs, youth personality, and juvenile crime involvement are still unclear. High-risk samples of institutionalized youth are in specific need of a comprehensive assessment of ACEs and personality features in order to broaden the current knowledge on the occurrence and persistence of juvenile crime and to derive implications for prevention and intervention. We examined a heterogeneous high-risk sample of 342 adolescents (35.1% females, 64.9% males) aged between 12 and 18 years ( M = 15.74, SD = 1.61 years) living in child-welfare or juvenile justice institutions regarding cumulative ACEs, psychopathic traits, temperament, and clinical personality disorder ratings, and criminal involvement before and up to 10 years after assessment. We found considerable rates of ACEs, although cumulative ACEs did not predict future crime. Latent Profile Analysis based on dimensional measures of psychopathy, temperament, and personality disorders derived six distinct personality profiles, which were differently related to ACEs, personality disturbances, clinical psychopathology, and future delinquency. A socially difficult personality profile was associated with increased risk of future crime, whereas avoidant personality traits appeared protective. Findings indicate that the role of ACEs in the prediction of juvenile delinquency is still not sufficiently clear and that relying on single personality traits alone is insufficient in the explanation of juvenile crime.

Suggested Citation

  • Steffen Barra & Marcel Aebi & Delfine d’Huart & Klaus Schmeck & Marc Schmid & Cyril Boonmann, 2022. "Adverse Childhood Experiences, Personality, and Crime: Distinct Associations among a High-Risk Sample of Institutionalized Youth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1227-:d:730934
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Defoe, Ivy N. & Farrington, David P. & Loeber, Rolf, 2013. "Disentangling the relationship between delinquency and hyperactivity, low achievement, depression, and low socioeconomic status: Analysis of repeated longitudinal data," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 41(2), pages 100-107.
    5. Ilma Jahic & Chad R. Trulson & Jonathan W. Caudill & Taea Bonner & Alexandra Slemaker & Matt DeLisi, 2021. "Adverse Childhood Experiences and Forensic Typologies: Getting Specific about Trauma among Institutionalized Youth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-11, October.
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    1. Laura Woehrle & Petra Retz-Junginger & Wolfgang Retz & Steffen Barra, 2022. "The Maltreatment–Aggression Link among Prosecuted Males: What about Psychopathy?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-15, August.

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