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ACEs and Angst: Adverse Childhood Experiences, General Strain Theory, and Adolescent Male Suicidal and Violent Behaviors

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  • Judy A. Van Wyk

Abstract

This study tests General Strain Theory (GST) as an explanation for associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and risk of violent and suicidal behaviors. Data comprise a census of archival information about the lives of 2,195 delinquent boys who resided at a U.S. treatment facility between 1975 and 2019. Logistic regression tests the effects of 12 combined ACEs, anger, low self-control, depression, race/ethnicity, and poverty on violent and suicidal behaviors. Interactive associations predicted by GST are examined by Z mediation and χ 2 analyses. Nearly 93% of residents experienced at least one ACE, and 87% had ≥4. ACEs increase risk of violent and suicidal behaviors net of controls. They interact with low self-control and anger to increase risk of violence, and anger and depression mediate risk of suicidal behaviors. Rehabilitative programming for troubled boys should begin with thorough assessment of these experiences, and both outcomes require equal consideration in the ACEs research.

Suggested Citation

  • Judy A. Van Wyk, 2023. "ACEs and Angst: Adverse Childhood Experiences, General Strain Theory, and Adolescent Male Suicidal and Violent Behaviors," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:13:y:2023:i:2:p:21582440231176710
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440231176710
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    1. Matt DeLisi & Justin Alcala & Abdi Kusow & Andy Hochstetler & Mark H. Heirigs & Jonathan W. Caudill & Chad R. Trulson & Michael T. Baglivio, 2017. "Adverse Childhood Experiences, Commitment Offense, and Race/Ethnicity: Are the Effects Crime-, Race-, and Ethnicity-Specific?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Baglivio, Michael T. & Wolff, Kevin T. & Epps, Nathan, 2021. "Violent juveniles' adverse childhood experiences: Differentiating victim groups," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    3. Sharp, Susan F. & Peck, B. Mitchell & Hartsfield, Jennifer, 2012. "Childhood adversity and substance use of women prisoners: A general strain theory approach," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 202-211.
    4. Malvaso, Catia G. & Delfabbro, Paul H. & Day, Andrew & Nobes, Gavin, 2018. "The maltreatment-violence link: Exploring the role of maltreatment experiences and other individual and social risk factors among young people who offend," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 35-45.
    5. Baglivio, Michael T. & Wolff, Kevin T. & Piquero, Alex R. & Epps, Nathan, 2015. "The Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Juvenile Offending Trajectories in a Juvenile Offender Sample," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 43(3), pages 229-241.
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