Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the Link to Antisocial, Delinquent, and Criminal Behaviors

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are negative and powerful experiences that are linked to childhood trauma and abuse that can be passed on to own children, creating a devious cycle of ACEs. ACEs affect the development of children on an individual level (i.e., antisocial personality traits and mental health issues), physical health level (i.e., general health and diabetes), family and parental level (i.e., dysfunctional households and family violence), socioeconomic level (i.e., low family income and unemployment), peer level (i.e., antisocial and delinquent peers), school level (i.e., learning problems and low school attainment), and community/neighborhood level (i.e., high-crime levels and overcrowding). Depending on the impact and the severity of the abuse experienced by children and adolescents, the inability to positively adapt, regulate emotions, steer attitudes and skills, and foster positive personal relationships may lead to maladaptive functioning, and antisocial, violent, at-risk, and criminal behaviors. This chapter outlines ACEs within the context of antisocial, delinquent behaviors, and the link to criminal involvement.