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Abstract
| The formative years in an individual’s childhood is critical in shaping the outcome of their future. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that can include physical abuse, neglect, violence, and other factors that may impact future outcomes. ACEs have been noted to have long-lasting effects on a person’s life trajectory. When the needs of a child are not met, the accompanying issues can follow them into their adult life. There is a common misconception that children are oblivious and don’t understand different challenges in their younger years, but we highly underestimate just how big of a role these experiences can play in shaping individuals. When children endure physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, or witness violence it can have a lasting impact on their personality. These experiences often lead to mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) later in life (Moktan 2023). Research has consistently shown that fostering healthy relationships, stable households and positive social experiences can foster positive development. More specifically, ACEs have been found to lead to an increased likelihood of criminal behavior of children in the future. Exposure to factors like violence, abuse, and neglect can contribute to criminal behavior. During the formative years of a child’s life, they witness and experience certain behaviors that they may be likely to recreate in the future.
The purpose of the current study is to examine how childhood experiences directly correlate with the likelihood of incarceration. By understanding these relationships, we can better provide support and programming to assist children in breaking the cycle of offending. |
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