Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-12-2022

Publication Title

Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice

Volume

21

Issue

3

First Page

248

Last Page

274

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/15412040221133106

Abstract

An abundance of research has established Adverse Childhood Experiences’ (ACEs’) contributions to deviant behavior. Recently, studies have demonstrated the importance of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). Yet, the PCE establishment as a predictive scale is needed. In a multistate, robust sample (N = 254,874) of justice-involved youth, we examined PCE scale effects and ACE-PCE combinations on recidivism using mixed effects logistic regression while adjusting for the impact of state. Presence of PCEs was associated with lower reoffending likelihood, and ACEs were related to increased recidivism odds. Further, PCEs demonstrated a protective impact on ACEs. A ceiling effect on the ACE-PCE composite score was also identified, where an increase in scale items presented a curvilinear recidivism association. Findings provide an examination of PCE influence across multiple youth populations and their ability to counteract ACE effects. Policy implications discuss the utility of PCEs as case management goals and intermediate outcomes.

Comments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Sage in Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice on October 12, 2022, available online: https://doi.org/10.1177/15412040221133106

Reuse restricted to noncommercial and no derivative uses.

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