Which Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences are most Strongly Associated with Young Peoples’ Arrests and Convictions?

Abstract Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with young people’s criminal legal system involvement, but the extent to which distinct types of ACEs and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) differentially relate to arrests and convictions for youth is unknown. We identified childhood exposures that remain independently associated with arrests and convictions by age 26 among a broad set of ACEs and PCEs. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from two components of the nationally representative Panel Study of Income Dynamics. We examined the occurrence and number of arrests and convictions by age 26 and constructed ACE- and PCE-type indicator variables and overall scores. Weighted, covariate-adjusted logistic and negative binomial regression models estimated associations between ACE types and arrests and conviction outcomes, controlling for PCE score. Similarly, we estimated PCE-type outcome associations controlling for ACE score. Finally, we examined sex differences and stratified results by race. Of 7,200 participants, 14.9% were arrested by age 26. Controlling for PCE score, physical abuse and parental divorce/separation were associated with both arrests and convictions. Arrests were also associated with sexual abuse and parental substance use. Convictions were also associated with emotional abuse and parental mental health problems. Experiencing more PCEs was protective against arrest. We found sex differences for children experiencing sexual abuse. Certain ACEs appear more closely linked to young people’s risk of arrests and convictions, while combined PCE types may be protective. Interventions and policies that target these specific ACEs and boost PCEs may help disrupt pathways into the criminal legal system.